SICK AND WOUNDED 117
to the Central Committee of the Union had been stopped, the zem-
stvos were forced to apply to the Anti-Plague Commission for finan-
cial support. From this source, 5,494,598 rubles and an additional
sum of 2,022,529 rubles were paid out to thirty-seven zemstvos be-
tween March 23 and June 30, 1915, for six months’ expenditure on
the organization of the campaign against epidemics. Thus we see
that the coordinated plan drafted by the Unions of Zemstvos and
Towns for anti-epidemic measures had to be abandoned.
However, at the front the Zemstvo Union, at the request of the
military authorities themselves, found the opportunity to wage a
ceaseless campaign against epidemic diseases. Measures were taken
on a large scale to provide hospitals for contagious cases; baths,
laundries, canteens, tea rooms, disinfection and cleansing rooms
were opened, and soldiers were supplied with clean underwear. In
this connection a vigorous agitation was carried on among the
higher army authorities to have the entire anti-epidemic work en-
trusted to the unions. Finally, on March 12, 1915, Prince Lvov re-
ceived from the head of the army medical service a, telegram to the
following effect: “The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has informed
me of the approval given by the Emperor, in principle, to the im-
mediate utilization of the services of the Union of Zemstvos and to
the provision of such monetary assistance as it may require, for the
campaign against the spread of epidemics.”
The first conference of authorized zemstvo representatives held at
Moscow on March 12-13, 1915, adopted the following resolution on
the question of epidemics:
(1) The conference is aware of the terrible danger from the spread
of epidemics among the civilian population and the army. (2) It recog-
aizes that in order to carry out successfully the measures against epi-
demics, these must be put in force without delay. (3) It approves the
general plan of the campaign against infectious diseases proposed by
the Central Committee and recognizes that its practical realization
ought to be entrusted to the Union of Zemstvos and of Towns. (4) The
funds necessary for anti-epidemic measures should be assigned direct
by the State Treasury to the Unions. (5) In view of the fact that only
by the adoption of a single coordinated plan can a full measure of suc-
*2 Izvestia (Bulletin), Nos. 80-31, pp. 118-129,
