| Summary: | Diphtheria Scoorge Has Upper Hand. HPHTHERIA SCOURGE HAS UPPER HAHD POINT BARROW, Alaska, March 14. —(/P)—The diphtheria scourge had the upper hand again here today, but Dr. Henry Griest; of the Presbyterian mission hospital and" his wife were fighting back with a renewed spirit and an additional supply of antitoxin. The number of serious cases had mounted to 24. the only hospital was overflowing and the disease was spreading rapidly. Some of the patients were expected to die. Immunization of the entire population, about 300 natives and a dozen whites, including four children, was being rushed with all possible speed. The new supply of serum was brought here yesterday by Pilot Joe Crosson, who left immediatly on his return trip to Fairbanks. He made a previous flight here with antitoxin and fruits last Sunday. Shortly after the aviator's arrival yesterday, four new cases were reported and the same number took ill the day before. The epidemic has been raging for two weeks and the number of less serious cases was not known. The disease has been creeping up the coast since last December by the intermingling of reindeer herders and at first was believed only tonsilitis. Mrs. Griest is the only nurse here and is being assisted by two native women. So little headway has been made the past few days in fighting the disease a call has been sent out for volunteer help and supplies. One of the greatest barriers against the campaign to stamp out the disease is the Eskimo habit of hiding sickness until it becomes serious.
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