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instruments for carrying out its obligations in administering international health functions and supplying technical aid to Governments. Some of these committees deal with particular diseases—i.e., yellow fever, malaria, tuberculosis, venereal disease and others with particular branches of WHO's work, such as epidemic control, quarantine, and the standardization of biologic products used in the prevention and treatment of disease. Much valuable work has been done by these committees in compiling information, adopting international standards, and, where appropriate, recommending international action. The function of WHO Interim Commission in providing expert assistance to Governments in emergencies was illustrated by its activities in connection with the cholera epidemic in Egypt in September-November, 1947. Notification of the first cases was received towards the end of September, and the Commission immediately took steps to expand the production of vaccine in the U.S.A. The Commission acted as buying agent, and ensured that demands were co-ordinated and that competitive buying did not take place ; under its auspices supplies of vaccine were contributed by nineteen Governments. By the end of October the epidemic had begun to decline ; by December it was over. Through its field services programme the Interim Commission has continued the technical assistance given by UNRRA to Governments receiving its aid. Missions have operated in Austria, Hungary, Finland, Greece, Italy, Ethiopia, and China. In some cases the work of the Missions has been confined to lecturing and demonstrating new medical and surgical techniques. In others, particularly China, where the most extensive programme has been carried out, the Missions have, in addition to teaching, undertaken work in epidemic control, mass radiography for T. 8., &c. A programme of medical and technical fellowships designed to foster the spread of medical knowledge and to aid in rehabilitating public health in war damaged countries has been taken over from UNRRA and considerably expanded. Under this programme two hundred students from war-damaged countries have been placed for special studies in various countries in Europe and North America. 9. Food and Agriculture Organization The objects of FAO are to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to make more efficient the production and distribution of food and other agricultural products, and to improve the conditions of rural populations. In this way FAO makes its contribution towards an expanding world economy. In addition to agriculture, the Organization is concerned with fisheries and marine products and with forests and primary forest products.