Although the mortality statistics in the United States for last year reached the round number of two million persons from various diseases, among them chiefly from consumption, pneumonia, typhoid fever and epidemics of smallpox and diphtheria, a few sporadic cases of death were recorded resulting from mosquito bites, which gave grave concern to the medical fraternity. The outcome of this alarm was the calling of a general conference of bacteriological experts. The mosquito, that had hitherto enjoyed unbridled freedom since the creation of his race, was now looked upon as the arch enemy of mankind. A noted philanthropist, interested in oil wells and having on hand a great bulk of unmarketable crude petroleum, donated a large sum for research in order to discover ways and means of curbing the ravages of these nefarious pests which threatened the annihilation of the human race. It was decided by the savants, that the distribution of crude petroleum in stagnant pools and humid marshes, was the only effective method for the extermination of mosquito life. The distribution of greenbacks for their valuable services, (notwithstanding the fact that under the microscope they were found to contain two hundred and fifty-seven diseases and thirty-eight million microbes to the square inch), were grabbed with unprecedented avidity by these same specialists. 1913 Child Labor The dwarfing and crippling of the mental, moral and physical growth of tender children, by the avaricious employers, and its baleful consequence of peopling the community with moral and bodily degenerates, devoid of the desirable elements of good citizenship, had become so appallingly flagrant that a general sentiment of the people was aroused in a mighty protest to the Federal authorities. Thanks to the aggressive and strenuous legislative warfare of Labor Unions in every State, aided by the persistent moral agitation of Women's Clubs all over the country, child labor was entirely abolished in many channels of industries, such as mills, factories, collieries and plantations. In more gentle occupations the employment of minors, was placed on a healthier and more humane basis than had ever before been the case. 1914 The Great Radium Swindle The fabulously high price of this metal had awakened the cupidity of a coterie of adroit schemers who, had palmed off on unsuspecting men of science, a rank substitute which cost only a trifle to manufacture. After securing an enormous sum of money, the schemers had decamped to parts unknown. It was discovered that the spurious metal thus disposed was nothing more than a highly compressed form of phosphorous. 1915 Death of an Eminent Physician Dr. Wisehardt, the brilliant young physician and surgeon who discovered the electro-magnetic germ-cells of life, and invented methods to prolong life itself by the cultivation of these cells, died in the 27th year of his age from premature senility. 1916 A Tidal Wave