Medicine: Capsules, Feb. 2, 1953

¶ Because 110,000 premarital blood tests have turned up only 34 new cases of infectious syphilis in 57 of New York's 62 counties, State Senator Thomas Desmond suggested that the compulsory test be dropped. But it should be kept in New York City's five counties, said Upstater Desmond, because the city's syphilis rate is eight times the upstate rate.

¶ A mysterious disease which starts like a common cold but kills its infant victims within hours was worrying doctors and parents in Tacoma, Wash. The sixth victim, three-month-old David Le Fever, was found...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!