The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-07-31
VACCINE VIRUS NOT
CAUSE OF TETANUS
Cases Developing After Vaccination Due
To Contamination Subsequent
To Vaccination.

Interesting scientific studies dealing
with the relation of tetanus to yaccna-
ton were recently completed by Drec-
tor John +. Anderson Of the hygienic
Laboratory, Z. s. public health service.
DR.. Anderson states that tetanus ia
never contracted through vaccine virus,
and he presents evidence which goes TO
Iprove that the limited number of au-
thentic cases developing after inocula-
ton have invariably been due to con-
tamination Of the wound subsequent to
vaccination.
| During the last Is years the hygienic
laboratory, charged by law with the reg
uation of the manufacture and sale of
yaceines and serums, has examined spe-
officially for the organism of tetanus
sufficient vaccine to paccinate over q.
100000 persons and in not a single in
stance was the presence of tetanus bacil-
| Ii established. Monkeys, which are sus-
eeptible both to vaccination and tetanus,
were noeulated with virus heavily con-
taminated with tetanus spores. While
developing takes" the remained abso-
lutely free from symptoms of tetanus.
The same treatment was accorded guinea
pigs, equally susceptible to the disease,
with similar results. Moreover the
laboratory in several instances fortu-
nately secured the remaining samples of
vaccine supposed TO have caused tetanus,
but examination by the most delicate
tests failed to show contamination, con-
clusiyely proving that the infection was
not contained therein. Records Of the
army and navy were investigated over
period of ii years. Not a single case
OF tetanus, of the s occurring during
that time, WAS traceable to the $4,000
vaccinations performed
Since 1904, Anderson has kept ac-
curate records OF all cases Of tetanus
which were supposed to be connected in
any way with vaccination. and has OBJ
tanned data covering Al instances, 20 Of
which ended fatally. This is much
smaller number than is commonly sup
posed. Additional cases were reported,
but upon investigation they were found
not 10 be tetanus. or to be clearly at
to infection through wounds.
These records comprise such data as
the number of persons vaccinated, re-
suit and character of the operation, the
firm manufacturing the virus, and other
essential facts. In the majority Of the
81 cases studied IL was learned that
many others were treated with the same
lot If virus without bad effects. This in IL
elf suggests that the vaccine was not
he causitiye factor Tests of the virus
rom the original packages failed TO re-
veal the presence OF the tetanus or
,anisms and thus substantiates this con-
fusion. During the period mentioned,
{ is estimgated from manufacturers re-
'ofts that over 3l.00o000 people were
'aocinated. The investigator concludes
hat II the virus was responsible infec-
ion would have been much more wide
prcad. DIR. Anderson further shows
hat under average conditions tetanus
eyelops within ten days from the re-
eipt Of an injury or the time Of in
The fact that in the few
ecorded instances following vaccination
did not develop until nearly p days
fter the treatment indicates that in
culation took place subsequent TO the
accination.
The investigator concludes that whore
stsuus mauiiccts itself infection is r..
sived By contamination Of the yaeeina-
0n wound in the same manner a. the
Election OF any other surgical wound.
ID that VITA the ordinary precautionary
.easure there il not the slightest fear
the development Of the disease.