stitution of the population of these. Each group of statistics will be treated separately and the results published later. One paper on the relative disease incidence in white and colored troops, by Dr. Davenport and Col. Love, has been sent to the National Academy of Science for publication in its Proceedings. The plan for securing anthropological information on a broad scale was interfered with first by the temporary abandonment of mobilization when the epidemic disease ("influenza") became so prevalent in September, and following this by the complete cessation of mobilization when hostilities ceased. Despite these facts Dr. Hoffman was able to obtain some records at Hog Island. Plans were presented for carrying on this work during demobilization, but these were not approved by the General Staff. The financial support for the activities of the Division of Medicine and Related Sciences was obtained from the Rockefeller Foundation. A grant of $50,000 was made to be expended by the Division for war work, although only a relatively small portion of this was used. In addition to this grant, there were two donations made by Maj. W. W. Keen, M. C., of $382.22 and $101.74, royalties from a book entitled "The Treatment of War Wounds," written by Maj. Keen at the suggestion of the Council. Later, when the plans for the Division's activities during demobilization were presented to the Foundation, it made a further grant of $15,000 to support them. In conclusion, the executive committee of the Medical Division wishes to pay tribute to the many scientific workers throughout the country who have given their services untiringly and unstintingly to the cause for which all have worked during the war. That their efforts have met with success is attested to by many testimonials of thanks and appreciation from the heads of the different divisions. of the War, Navy, and Labor Departments whose problems they have endeavored to solve. Also, it wishes to record an expression of appreciation for the thoughtfulness and generosity of Maj. Keen in making his donations to the funds of the Division. The depth of its expression of appreciation to the Rockefeller Foundation can best be stated in acknowledging that without its support any effort to accomplish the purposes of the Division would have been most difficult. DIVISION OF BIOLOGY. VERNON KELLOGG, Chairman; A. F. WOODS, Vice Chairman. This Division has undertaken primarily to establish the necessary cooperation in handling problems which fall within the scope of its constituent committees. Most of the problems which have been considered are of permanent value and are not confined merely to the period of the war, and many of the investigations will cover a period of several years. Besides initiating various investigations the Division has also provided for the affiliation of individual organizations when desirable, such affiliation to cease as soon as the problem in hand has been solved. Information and suggestions have been furnished to the War Department upon sources of material for making charcoal for gas masks and the possible use of animals as indicators of the presence of poison gases in the air and upon possible uses for ammonium nitrate if this product can be economically manufactured in large nitrate fixation plants. It has also been ascertained by the Division that other native woods are better suited for airplane propellers than African mahogany, with a result that orders for the importation of this wood were canceled and thousands of tons of shipping thus saved. In addition, the following projects have been undertaken by this Division: Fertilizers. A cooperative group of soil and fertilizer specialists from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri has been organized for the purpose of studying the fertilizer problems of that great agricultural region and the special cooperation of the Department of Agriculture has been secured for a further study of the problems involved. Poultry feeding.-Experiments have been carried on to determine the presence or absence in poultry food of certain substances influencing egg production, and a cooperative study among poultrymen in the East and West has been secured. Results so far obtained have confirmed the value of certain empirically established methods of feeding. Protein metabolism in animal feeding.-Emphasis in this investigation has been placed upon the quality of the protein consumed, the influence of accessory substances and the variation in the ash of the rations. The method of procedure has been to feed beef or dairy calves old enough to consume exclusive dry feed upon two different planes of protein intake but with equal net energy supply. A conference has been arranged to bring together the investigators cooperating in this work, but final results are not as yet available. Rats, mice, and rodent pests.-In cooperation with the United States Biological Survey a campaign has been started in the United States, through the State Councils of Defense and other organizations, for the rat-proofing of buildings, for cleaning up harboring places, such as trash piles and wooden sidewalks, and for the poisoning of rats. It is estimated that there are over 100,000,000 rats in the United States and that each rat will do at least $2 worth of damage in a year. This campaign, which is continuing, is mainly concerned in drawing attention to the seriousness of the situation. Similarly, in cooperation with the United States Biological Survey, an investigation has been made of the relation of rodent pests to their environment, especially with reference to forage and grain crops. Physiological salt requirements of representative cultivated plants. A special committee has this subject in charge and various institutions in the country have been visited for the purpose of presenting the problem as an opportunity to cooperate on the application of physiology to agriculture. About half of the standard institutions in the United States are cooperating in the project, and a prospectus has been prepared so that all investigators may follow the same methods and use the same materials. Sizing materials.-Under the supervision of the United States Bureau of Fisheries a study of the availability of alginic acids for sizing materials has been instituted in view of the scarcity of ordinary sizing materials and the desirability of avoiding any substitute which would decrease the food supply. Salting fish in southern climates.-Also under the auspices of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, an investigation has been undertaken relative to the possibility of overcoming the processes of decomposition which normally take place in salting fish in southern climates. Lac and lac insects, mesquite gum.-In view of the existing conditions it seemed that the possibility of developing a domestic source of supply of lac, better known by its commercial name "shellac," should not be neglected. Results showed that in regions where lac is most abundant the supply at present is insufficient for even the most remote commercial possibilities. Mesquite gum was. found in negligible quantities. War emergency board of plant pathologists.-The division has cooperated in the work of propaganda and investigation undertaken by this board, and an appropriation was made to facilitate and encourage the work of the board. The project brought together the leading plant pathologists of the country for the purpose of considering the most effective means of controlling diseases of various food. crops, and the results accomplished have not only been of great value from a scientific point of view but from the standpoint of the practical control of diseases as well. Instruction in universities.-Upon the request of the War Department the Division undertook to formulate courses in biology, protozoology, animals in relation to disease, plant pathology, botanical raw products, and wood inspection for the Students' Army Training Corps. While it is believed that the outlines suggested were helpful in many cases, the continuance of the courses was for so short a period that their value and educational effect could not well be determined. The results of this experience, however, will not be lost. PUBLICATIONS. Hitherto the results of the work of the National Research Council have been widely scattered, appearing in books, reports, articles, in scientific and technical journals, and other publications. The executive board has now decided to issue a series of Bulletins, early numbers of which will contain the following reports and papers: Report of the Psychology Committee. Report of the Patent Committee. Provisional Prospectus of a Zinc Research Association. Russell, Henry N.: Some Problems in Sidereal Astronomy. Washburn, Edward W.: Refractory materials as a field for research. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The chairman of the National Research Council, in concluding nearly three years of service, wishes to express his very cordial appreciation of the unwavering interest in the work of the Council and the steady devotion to its objects which have characterized his many colleagues. Most of them have worked with little or no compensation under the trying conditions of the war emergency, and frequently at great personal inconvenience. The progress that has been made under such circumstances and the unflagging purpose which still animates all who are taking part in the work, even after the war stimulus has been removed, augur well for the future. Special mention should be made of the important contribution of Messrs. Millikan, Noyes, and Merriam, who have served as Acting Chairman during the absence of the Chairman. I wish that it were feasible here to name every one of the hundreds who have aided the Council, both at home and abroad, and to make adequate reference to his or her contribution to the work. Each will find satisfaction in the help given in the prosecution of the war and in preparing the way for the future promotion of research. We have only begun a task of unlimited possibilities, and we may look forward with the keenest interest to its continuation and wide development by our successors. GEORGE E. HALE, Chairman. REPORT OF THE TREASURER, NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, for THE CALENDAR YEAR 1918. The work of the National Research Council during 1918 was supported by funds coming from several sources and disbursed in various ways, as indicated in the following statement: 1 It is expected that detailed reports will be published by the various Divisions of the Council. 1. Grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, through the Carnegie Institution of Washington, for general expenses of office, maintenance, and special investigations, disbursed by the treasurer of the National Research Council from a special account; $50,000 appropriated in June, 1917; $100,000 for the fiscal year July 1, 1918, to June 30, 1919. 2. Grant of $50,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation of New York for the support of the Division of Medicine and Related Sciences for the period from March 1 to December 31. This fund was given to the National Academy of Sciences and has been disbursed by its treasurer from a special account. 3. Miscellaneous funds given to the National Academy of Sciences for the support of the National Research Council. 4. Allotments from the President's emergency appropriation, for general office expenses of the Council, and the expenses of the Research Information Service, disbursed through the Council of National Defense; $29,500 for the period from January 1 to June 30; $61,000 for the period from July 1 to December 31. 5. Special appropriation of $15,000 from the Ordnance Bureau of the War Department for the development of a new type of gun by the National Research Council. Owing to the various methods of disbursement of the funds the expenditures for the work of the Council during the first six months of 1918 were not completely classified except for the Division of Medicine. A budget system, however, classifying all expenditures and unifying all disbursements for the purpose of a general statement was put into operation on July 1. A summary statement for the last six months under that system is given below. The divisional expenses are paid by the treasurer on the presentation of accounts duly approved by the chairman of the division concerned and countersigned by the secretary of the Council. STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS, JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1918. A summary of all receipts and disbursements for the entire year, arranged in sections corresponding to the main sources of revenue above named, is as follows: |