The Washington times., 1894-07-08

cowpox vesicle protect human being against
smallpox 1t would be out OF place and
probably uninteresting In non-rnedica
article to discuss this subject, but at the pres
ent day 1t appears to be fairly settled among
careful Investigators that cowpox is simply
smallpox contracted by the COW.
This theory has received the support OF ex-
perimental research. which would seem to be
conclusive Accepting this as true, one fact
| is certain, thar the virus of smallpox In pass
ing through the COW loses Its power OF repro
ducing the disease in man or animal. while It
retains the power OF protection against small
pox.
We do not to-day depend on cowpox for the
vaccine matter which we need. This was the
origin OF the supply. but from that time on the
virus used has been collected from cows and
| children. which have been vaccinated one
from the other. and the supply may now be
said to be inexhaustible.
TWO KINDS OF VIRUS.
Vaccine virus is divided into two kinds,
humanized and bovine.
Humanized virus is lymph taken from the
pearly ring which surrounds the vesicle Of a
successful primary vaccination. This ring is
distended and at its highest state Of periec-
| ton between l4i and 16S hours after the vac
cination has been performed; at this time
punctures are made and the lymph allowed to
! exude.
If 'arm-to-arm" vaccination, as practiced
in England, is to be performed the exuded
| lymph is Immediately applied to the sacrifi-
cation ON the arms OF children who have been
| presented Tor vaccination. Ii the lymph is
needed for future use it is collected on ivory
| points or aui!ls. and preserved in the manner
TO be described subsequently. Lymph suifl-
cient for fifty to seventy vaccinations Is
generally collected from one vesicle.
soIy before the third month humanized virus
is largely depended upon. This work is per-
| formed principally by government inspectors,
who are assigned to certain districts through
out the country. and vaccination is done with
great regularity and uniformity.
PROPAGATION OF VIRUS.
In this country. however. where vaccination
is spasmodically and irregularly performed,
and generally during the prevalence OF snail
pox, large quantities are needed at short no.
tice; consequently the demand for humaniEed
lymph could not be adequately met. There
also exists an undeseryed prejudice against
this form OF vaccine matter, and for these rea-
sons bovine lymph is almost exclusively used
in this country. This is furnished by several
propagators who vie with each other in their
efforts TO supply the very best form of vaccine
matter. Their laboratories and stables are
kept scrupulously clean and in a good sani-
tary condition, and the propagation of virus
10 under the direction of scientific men.
The propagation of vaccine matter by the
health department of this city is under the
supervision OF DIR. E. L. Pardee who has
occupied this position for period of about
twenty years. The method employed is as
follows:
Carefully selected cows, from two to four
years olds. which have been pronounced
healthy by the veterinary surgeon, are trans
ferred to the vaccine department. They are
then made ready for the operation by being
carefully fed and cleaned for a certain period.
Whom these preliminaries have been attended
to the animal is prepared for the operation
and is placed in a stall arranged for the pur-
pose, the rear of which is closed by heavy
bars; bar is also placed close to either side
OF the animal, who thus penned in is capable
of only limited motion.
A space of about ten or twelve inches
square on either side OF the back and about
two or three inches from the tail is then care
fully shaved and scrubbed. On each surface
thus prepared two scarihcations about two
inches in diameter are then made. and to
these abraded surfaces the vaccine matter,
which has been previously collected from
other cows, is now applied. For this purpose
very large ivory points known as spades"
are used. and. as would naturally be inferred
very large amount of virus is necessary.
COLLECTING THE LYMPH.
The COW is now kept under close observa-
ton. and after period ranging between 144
and I6S hours the numerous vesicles which
have formed are now distended with lymph
ready for collection. 1t is the long expert
ence in this work which teaches one the exact
time that the lymph should be removed
The lymph is preserved on ivory points
and quilts and in capillary glass tubes. After
the points and quiils have been properly
charged they are placed in glass jars. tightly
covered, aud placed in a cool dry place. hav-
ing uniform temperature of about 60 de-
grees. The capillary tubes are also placed in
the same temperature. The latter are gener-
ally Us I'd where ii is necessary to send vaccine
matter to far distant places.
The quills and ivory points. and also the
lymph in capillary tubes, should be used rs
early as possible. II kept too long they be-
come worthless and produce no result.
Vaccination is an operation OF great import
ance. 1t is performed 10 protect life. Ii re-
quires proper knowledge of the subject in
question. the manner in which the operation
should be performed, the selection OF virus.
and the care of the patient during the differ
ent stages of the process, and Il decision at
the proper time as TO the success or failure OF
the vaccination. This is entirely within the
province OF the physician. and I cannot too
strongly condemn the practice among laymen
of vaccinating themselves and their families.
In conclusion. | wish to say that vaccina-
ton, properly performed and cared for need
cause no apprehension as to the result. Un-
fortunately this operation is sometimes done
while child is developing a disease such rs
scarlatlna, diphtheria. etc.. and the additional
irritation of the vaccination may add to the
severity of the symptoms, as would any local
irritation. These complications occur not
and the vaccination Is often
held responsible for whatever results may
follow. This is obviously wrong and brings
vaccination into discredit