TUBERCULOSIS SCOURGE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8848, 28 November 1935, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS SCOURGE

SPAHLINGER VACCINE TO MAKE CATTLE IMMUNE SAVING OP HUMAN LIVES LONDON, November 2. “Let England show the way to the world; let her share with Northern Ireland the honour of stamping out tuberculosis.” These are the words of H.H. the Aga Khan, who writes in the “Daily Telegraph” on the results of the official bovine tests of the Spahlinger vaccine. “The compulsory adoption of this vaccine,” he says, “would undoubtedy save thousands of lives. It is not generally realised that a very high percentage of tuberculosis in human beings is due to an infection contracted in childhood through tuberculous milk. “With cattle immune against tuberculosis, children would be free from what is now a perpetual menace. No longer could babies be fed oh milk infected with this tubercle germ that condemns them to suffer from tuberculosis joints and twisted spines, which make life a misery. The use of this vaccine must be made compulsory.” After writing of the cases of his own friends who were saved by the Spahlinger treatment, the Aga Khan continues: “Unfortunately, the preparation of human tuberculosis vaccine is still very long, costly, and difficult. But it is to be hoped that fhe work which he is carrying on will enable him soon to simplify his methods of production, so that the scrum will - come within the reach of all.” His Highness concludes: “Now, when I read the results of the official tests in Northern Ireland, I firmly beileve that tuberculosis in cattle can be completely eradicated, and with it the infection of millions of human beings throughout the world. “Let us hope now that the criticism which has been poured on the head of Henry Spahlinger will disappear, so that he may be free to pursue his researches in other fields, and finally, perhaps, live to see the white scourge a thing of the past.”