Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-26
TETANUS GERMS
MEANT FOR ARMY
Ivory Vaccine Points Ordered
by Local Mandatory Found
to Be Infected.
GLASS TUBES FOR SAFETY

What appears to have been delib-
crate attempt to create an epidemic Of
lockjaw in the American Army. through
the infection of smallpox vaccine points
with the germs Of tetanus, has been un-
covered. The disclosure resulted from in
vestigation Of reports that isolated
cases Of lockjaw had developed follow
ing the use Of vaccine manufactured in
Washington by the National Vaccine
and Antitoxin Company.
Failure Of the attempt 10 due, prob
ably. to the fact that the Army medi-
cal authorities used vaccine in sealed
glass tubes instead Of ivory points
for the vaccination Of soldiers.
Only Eight Cases Develop.
So far as known only eight cases OF
lockjaw have developed In connection
with vaccine put out by the Washing
CURED in Florida last July. and the
most recent one, a few days ago, in Min
nesota. I'm normal times" said Fred
s. Campbell. assistant manager Of the
not have attracted any attention. as
tetanus injection always 10 possible
where there is q sore or wound.
But in view OF the fact that the coun-
rumors Of diabolical German plots Of
all kinds, we voluntarily recalled from
the trade all unused vaccine Of our
manufacture and started an investiga-
ton. The reports which keep CROP
ping up in different parts OF the coun-
try no doubt are the result of publicity
given the printed circular We sent out"
As result Of the calling in OF out
standing stock. about $4,000 vaccine
| points were shipped back to Washing
| ton. Careful laboratory analysis failed
| to show single one OF them infected
with tetanus germs.
Special condgnment Ordered.
But here 10 where one story ends and
| another begins. Following up its In
yestisation. the local company ordered
from which 1t purchased its supplies q
| special consignment Of points, osten-
| sibly to I'LL an Army order. very
large percentage OF these were found
points plainly had been tampered with,
as 1t Is not believed within the range
OF possibility that so large q percentage
| infected through accident.
AS a result OF this disclosure. tho
| use OF ivory points for administering
smallpox vaccine has been diocontin-
Qcu SutlIo1y ana no more VIII De manu-
| featured. either by the Washineton
concern or by others In the same limo
Contamination of vaccine in sealed
glass tubes, II 10 claimed, 10 iff4pos.
stbla a. they can be thorOughly eter.
lized both before and after they ara
charged with vaccine. Complete ster1.
uzation Of ivory points IL not poseibia.
because they viii not stand q eudIcieue
degree OF heat
License Formally Revoked.
Following the disclosures the INV.
eminent formally revoked the Iicens.
Of the National Vaccine and Anfitoxin
Company. but not until after the coy.-
pany itself had voluntarily called in
all outstanding points and taken other
necessary steps..-- -
/ Now that the source of the froub,e
has been located 1t is expected the
license will be reissued. Sincs the
oeclaration OF war the company has
supplied the government with about
100000 glass tubes OF vaccine for use
IN the Army. and no single case Of
loek1aw has developed therefrom. All
future smallpox vaccination will BE-
by this method.
How the ivory points were Infected
before shipment to the manufacture AZ
vaccine in Washington, and who WA
responsible. are questions not vet an
swered. but q searching fuyestfeation
Is being made wherever vaccine virns
or supplies for its use are manufsc-
tured.