Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-07
The Sale of Spurious Virus. . rFrnnn tha Philada1nfia Rannrd

sAre you sure that these are genuine ?''
 This was the question asked by 8 we'll known West Walnut street surgeon, as a package of vaccine points was handed over the counter of one of the most reputable drug stores of the city.
 stSo far as my knowledge goes, they are" was the proprietor's reply.
 tsWhy do you ask that question, doctor ?" interrogated a news gatherer, as he paused in the act of tossing off bitter dose of Hunya- di Janos water.
 well, ,, replied the doctor, s'there is so much spurious virus on the market that we fna it necessary to be very careful. :"
 While there is scarcely a branch of trade or manufacture which has not been made the subject of fraud or deception, it might natu- rally be supposed that articles upon which the safety of human existence depends would be considered too sacred to be made the ob- ject of the tricks of counterfeiters- Recent developments, however, have proved that this supposition is erroneous, and that sys- tematic trade intimidation virus is being car ried on. This subject, which is of the most
 vital importance not only to the medical pro
 fession but to the public in general, has been
 under the consideration of the Philadelphia
 County Medical socisty, and there exists
 general feeling among the profession that
 some steps should be- taken by which the pernicious business might be prohibited.
 pr w. M Welch, the physician to the Nun
 
 entities him to be regarded as an authority,
 says on the subject t'The increasing demand
 for bovine virus has induced very many en-
 terprising people to enter the field as compe- titors, some of whom doubtless possess the
 requisite knowledge and ability to carry on
 the work successfully and to produce virus of undoubted excellence; but there are oth CTS, fear, who, without any fitness for the work, not even realizing it's responsible na- ture, are engaged in propagating and selling so-called bovine virus, the frequent failures and spurious results from which threaten great injury to the cause of animal vacclIla- ton. For some time past I have frequently met with peculiar form of spurious vaccl- nation, resulting from the use of some of the so-calIed reliable bovine virus now being sold in this city by apothecaries. It consists of pseudo-vesicle, containing at first lit tie serum and blood but soon becoming dense and of bright-red color, resembling in some respects, when fully formed, @ nsevus or red raspberry. It is entirely different from any spurious vaccination that have ever seen from humanized virus, and that it is wholly devoid of power to prevent disease I have had abundant opportunity to prove" What is the remedy for this dangero us traffic In reply to this question Dr. Welch speaks as follows ''For better prot ection against pestilential disease which is con stantly recurring, and which is frequently ! most destructive to business and commerce, | the propagation of animal lymph of perfect quality is of so great importance to the pub lie that it should not be left solely to private enterprise, nor degraded to the level of { commercial trade. but should be under the | control of the national or State government so that lymph of undoubtedly good quality ! could always be obtained free of cost If thiE | were so, there certainly could be no reasona ! ble objection against the enactment of law making vaccination compulsory"