NEW ANTI-TYPHOID SERUM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12814, 13 July 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW ANTI-TYPHOID SERUM.

THE METCHNIKOFF SYSTEM

PARIS, May 8

Professor Metchnikoff and Dr Broughton Alcock yesterday submitted to the Academic des Sciences a new antityphoid serum, of which the Matin publishes an account this morning. The anti-typhoid preparations hitherto m use have been those of Sir Almroth Wright, m England, and Professors Vincent and Chantemesse, m France. Important and remarkable results have been obtained with these systems of anti-typhoid inoculation, both at home and m tropical countries. According to the exposition of Professor Metchnikoff's system, which has been worked out at the Pasteur Institute, the new serum is prepared from living bacilli as m the case of preparatioris used for inoculation - against the rabies and smallpox. The Eberth bacilli ore first diluted and then rendered sensitive ("sensibilises") or impregnated with certain . substances which are found m the serum of animals which are the most immune from typhoid fever. In this instance the horse has 'been selected. It is found that chimpanzees when inoculated with this preparation acquire immunity from typhoid. In his report to the Academic des Sciences, yesterday, Professor Metchnikoff stated that two persons who volunteered for the experiment were inoculated some months ago at the Pasteur Institute, and that the reaction of the serum u'as almost imperceptible. Some 44 persons have since been inoculated with success. The first inoculation introduces about 500 million of typhoid bacilli into the human system ; the' second, which is effected a week later, introduces twice or three times as many. Professor Metchnikoff maintains $hafr* -'his-" J method is at ' once siriiple and efficacious, and that _ it is peculiarly suitable as a preventive m the case of troops who, m time of manoeuvres, are concentrated m districts where typhoid fever is endemic. PROFESSIONAL CRITICISM. A representative of the Patrie, who visited Professor Vincent's laboratory at the military hospital of Val de Grace today was informed by the army doctors who co-operate with him m the employment of his anti-typhoid serum that they knew notliing of Professor Metchnikoff's new method, except what had been reported m the press. They pointed out, however, that the dangers of inoculating a human organism with live bacilli had been abundantly demonstrated. It was doubtless true that the 'deal met- j hod would be to' employ for inoculation live bacilli, which had been sufficiently weakened, to obviate all '■ danger of infection. 'In the case of typhoid, no such bacilli had as yet been prepared j notwithstanding the experiments of the American; Dr. Casteliani, whose method had been abandoned on account of its dangers. THE VINCENT SERUM., Tlie Vincent serum, it was stated, had been so successful that the War Minister was causing a great laboratory to be built for the sole purpose of antityphoid inoculation with Professor Vincent's preparation. Last March Professor Vincent's success had been recognised by official decorations and by promotion. Thousands of soldiers and civiliaris had been inoculated by Professor Vincent's method and not one of them had taken typhoid, even m Morocco, where the disease was extraordinarily prevalent. Professor's . Vincent's method was distinguished by slightness of reaction, absolute , innocuousness and invariable efficacy m all countries and climate. His preparation was m such demand that the central army pharmacy had asked for an increase m its staff "as a condition of continuing the supply of the quantities required. ~"