Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-29
DECLARES VACCINATION
VTRUSDD NOTLEADT TO
DEATHS OF BROTHERS
H. X. Mulford, Official of Vac
cine Developing Co. Says
Tetanus Could Not Have
Come From Serum
BOYS BROUGHT HERE

Denial that II was vaccination virui
filled with tetanus germs which caused
the death OF two boys from Burlington
N. j., who died today In the Pennsylvania
Hospital. was made by Mr. H. X. Mul
ford, vice president OF the n. X Mulfort
Company. principal developers Of yaccin,
in the United States. The boys. Frederick
and Charles Perks. and years old
were said to have been victims OF impure
vaccine administered to them by vscoina.
ton nearly four weeks ago
According to Mr.. Milford, who referred
20 n treatise by Dr. John T. Anderson, OF
the United states Public Health Service
TO support his statements, Il would be
impossible to contract lockjsw from vac
cine hlled with lockiaw germs. The vac
cine prepared in this country is devel-
oped under the supervision OF United
States Health Service inspectors. and
none OF IT Is distributed until II has
passed rigid tests Mr.. Mulford said
It Is Mr.. Mulford's theory that the
boys arms became infected from dirt
ana that the tetanus germs entered the
wounds from the outside. The fact that
the disease developed B days after the
vaccination, he said was convincing
tAN'A NhaA Aht bFtAAH NNlt NOA III AAlt
vaccine. because tetanus never develops
later than 10 days after infection.
Tetanus. caused by impure vaccination
virus, killed Frederick and Charles Perks,
and years old, OF Burlington, today.
The children died at the PENNSYLVANIA
Hospital, to which institution they were
rushed yesterday when Il was learned
that lockjaw had developed e..
An epidemic of the almost incurable
disease was at first feared I'm Burlington.
Parents of all children vacclnated recently
In the New Jersey town besieged ply
Ricians today to find out If their little
ones are in danger.
Two victims were vaccnated 26 days
ago. Ordinarily tetanus develops within
10 days. Physicians are mystified by the
fact that It took 16 days longer before
a symptom of the disease appeared in
either of the two children.
Frederick, the younger of the two bovs
died at O'Clock this morning. His
brother died two hours later. Physicians
had been working desperately TO save
their lives. but to no avail.
DIR. John s. Conroy. the physician who
the children, blames the virus.
which he said he obtained from the II.
X, Mulford Company. chemists, 42S South
18th street, this city. An official TO-DAY
said that the company was not vet nre-
pared to make a statement
The mother OF the children, Mrs. Harry
Perks, who is Frustrated with GRIEF at her
home. 2lS West Pearl street Burlington.
q nurse and before she allowed the
children to be vaccinated she insisted on
ne utmost cleanliness. The arms of the
children were washed in alcohol before
ne vaccination and only vaccine points
aken from sealed packages were used
The changing OF the bandages was done
inder the most sanitary conditions. Be
'ause OF this the parents and Burlington
physicians unite in declaring that the
'irus contained the deadly germs. The
arms of eight other children vaccinated
With points from the same package did
not take All of the surplus vaccine was
sent back to the chemists for an exami-
nation.
81 am through with compulsory yacci-
nation" said Doctor Conroy TODAY. |
While l believe in vaccination as a pre- |
yentive for smallpox, 1 will not have my |
'hild vaccinated until I am sure Of the |
,irus."
The three other Perks children were
lot vaccinated.
More than 30 other children have been
accinated in Burlington by Doctor Con-
oy. He is examining them TODAY and |
making tests for tetanus. If any are
ound to be infected they will be sent 10 |
he Philadelphia Hospital ana treated
nth the anti-toxin for the disease.
Another victim OF tetanus is now in 1be
Hospital. Physicians are
making a fight to save her life, She is
1iss Florence Walker, "a years old. 4O9
Nallan street. She was taken TO the
lospital last Friday suffering from a
calp wound. This vas not the result
4 vaccination. Her condition is serious
Doctor Conroy is widely known In Bur-
ngton. He went to that city after grad
ating from Jefferson Medical College in
his city six years ago and serving in
lew York hospital.