INFLUENZA—ANOTHER STEP

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19457, 22 December 1934, Page 6

INFLUENZA—ANOTHER STEP

year it was discovered that influenza can be transmitted to ferrets,” states the Manchester Guardian. “ A first-fruit of that discovery was the proof, based upon it, that the prime cause of the disaese is one of the so-called filterable viruses. A further addition to knowledge has now been made —namely, that mice can be infeoted with the virus of influenza.

“ This discovery is described fully in a recent issue of the Lancet, in a communication from the group of workers —Drs. Andrewes, Laidlaw. and Wilson Smith —by whom the earlier discovery was made. Mice, it appears, can be infected through their noses. Strains of the virus which had been 1 passed through ’ ferrets were employed, and these included human virus and swine virus.

“ This latter, in the pig, produces only a mild illness unless other micro-organisms are present; but in ferrets and mice it produces a severe illness, no concomitant bacteria being necessary. Sera were prepared against the ferret strains of human and swine influenza virus, and these neutralised the corresponding mouse strains. Thus, in the words of the Lancet, ‘it will be seen that the story is complete. It is true that there is detail to fill in, but the outline is drawn with unfaltering strokes.’

“It is unnecessary to emphasise the importance of this work, even though it be admitted that it has still to be shown that mice can be infected directly from man, without the intermediate use of the ferret. Five of the mice received mixtures consisting of the virus and the anti-serum. These animals survived, though they were proved to be susceptible. Other five mice which received only the virus died of influenza six or seven days after infection. Here therefore, is the basis of a new research the possibilities of which arc bright, especially in view of the results achieved in the case of dog distemper. For it must be remembered that, in man, influenza is dangerous chiefly on account of its complications, pneumonia and bronchitis.

“If the influenza, which is a mild disease, could be prevented, one circumstance at least favouring the onset of penumonia and bronchitis would have been eliminated. In addition a great deal of suffering and distress would cease. Mice are specially well suited for experimental work of this kind. The late Sir David Bruce, whose work on Malta Fever and Nagana helped to lay the foundation of tropical medicine, said once: ‘ Find mo a suitable animal which can be infected with the disease and I will give you good hope of prevention, if not of cure.’ ”