’FLU GERM FOUND

Evening Star, Issue 20252, 13 August 1929, Page 9

’FLU GERM FOUND

A HEW ORGANISM ITS DEADLY EFFECTS. SAN I'MIANCTSCO, July 31). . Members of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, meeting in convention in Portland, Oregon, Were told of the isolation of a now germ that may prove highly important in diagno sis and treatment of influenza. The paper was read by Dr Frank W. Hartman, in charge of the Ford Hospital laboratories at Detroit. The pathologist stated that the new organism had been discovered during the past influenza epidemic in Eastern United States. . Dr Hartman explained that the germ was not a member of the liomophilio or group, ultliougli.it was of the same colour, size, and shape as the bacillus now believed to bo the cause of the “flu, 5 ' The germ has a deadly effect.on animals, experiments have proved; white Pfeiffer’s bacillus, thought to cause influenza, does not produce fatal results. “This new organism,” Dr Hartman declared, “has produced hemorrhage pneumonia with death to animals within twenty-four to uiuoty-six hours.” There is a possibility that the new germ may be a virulent form of Pfeiffer’s bacillus, which lias increased in strength by repeated transmission from person to person, he said. The name “/Bacillus Para-Influenza B ’ ’ has been suggested for the germ. Dr Hartman is president of the Pathological Society, and is recognised as a leader in this work. He acted as president of Ibo ■ convention’ at Portland. , . 1