been able to perform only emergency treatment and, because, by regulation dental officers could notbe assignedto treat indigenous persons," some other system of dental care would haveto be instituted. Several factors continued to make improvement of sanitation a prob- lem. From thefirst day that naval medicalofficers had landed on the islands, they had expended an immense amount of energy trying to teach the Micronesians to observe the basic rules of sanitation as a means of curbing disease. Conditions weresatisfactory at and around district headquarters where administration personnel could conduct frequent inspections, but the situation on manyof the outlying islands, where the field trip officers could do little more than make superficial inspections once every three months, was often poor. The natives had little or no appreciation of the “germ theory” and this, combined with a humidclimate, a wealth of insects and the natural indolence of the people, made correction ofthe situation always difficult. The WHIDBEYsurvey noted: . most islands have community latrines which, in general, are clean and in good repair. It was evident, however, that use of the beaches was still a common practice throughout the islands and, in many places, leaves and toilet paper were thrown about promiscuously . .. many islands had . latrines, in some instances clean and well constructed, which were seldom used. Even on Saipan [sland where virtually every household has its own pit latrine, use of the beach was evident. Garbage is usually buried in pits, but on some islands it is burned or carried out to sea and dumped. The most inadequate methods ot garbage disposal were noted on Utirik Atoll and Namorik Island where it was allowed to accumulate over long periods of ume . Rain water is collected in old oil drums by means of spouts and drains on houses and coconut trees. The water ts then stored in the drums, often without covers or safeguards against debris. There were indications that the water supply was contaminated. Most wells were contaminated... The heavy groundcover and decaying vegetation furnished excellent breeding spots for many varieties of pests. Flies, mosquitoes, lice, mites, rates and mice continued to abound. Although diseases carried by anthropods were not so important in the Trust Territory as in other tropical areas, the types of mosquitoes noted during the survey were a definite threat to health because vectors of dengue, yellow fever and filariasis were all present. "BuMed Mantel, para. 1325; the Dental Corps lacked sufficient officers for care of other than naval personne} 853 9005993