Arizona republican., 1918-10-26
ADVISE VACCINE ASPREVENT|VE
 OE INFLUENZA
Extensive Tests Prove Its Value To Prevent Disease
 Or To Diminish An Attack
 Say State Health Officials

The statement sometimes made by rrIniormed laymen and by some physi- c.aus that there is much danger and no virtue in the use of the vaccine which s being used as a preventative for in- flucnza, prompts the following state meut from Dr. Orville II. Brown, state upcintendent of health and Dr. W. Warner Watkins. of the pathological Laboratory which is supplying the bulk Oi the vaccine now being used in this tate
 The use Of the vaccine, in the begin ring Of this epidemic, was experiment ial Co the extent that it had never be- fore been used for this purpose on a large scale. The last epidemic of influ- sizs GS89-90) was before the day of this class of vaccines. However. there was sound theoretical grounds for the belief that the vaccine would be of value. based on the investigations of ur Gorgas (now surgeon generaD in To The cause and prevention of the ep- idcmic of pneumonia among the miners oi South Africa in 1905, and on the ex- pericnces of the United States army with pneumonia in the cantOnments. during the past year.
 Vaecinatina Soldiers
 
 against pneumonia as fast as the pub lo health laboratory in Washington ,an produce the vaccine. the medical department of the army having con- nIuced themselves that ordinary lobar pneumonia can be largely prevented by fhis means. Vaccination against influ- enra is based on the same scientific hasis as vaccination against ordinary uneumonia-
 Early in the present epidemic. the Massachusetts board of health ap- pointed two commissions to investigate fhc value of the influenza vaccine. These commissions. composed of very conservative medical scientists, pre- sentcd the following conclusions rela- tive to the use of influenza vaccine as @ preventative:
 Convinced of Value
 "I) The evidence from the present rpIdemic. though meagre, suggests that tho incidence of the disease among the Naccinated is smaller than among the Unvac ccinated.
 go The statistical evidence. so far as it goes. indicates a probability that Tho use of this influenza vaccine has scme prophylactic value.
 t9l There is no evidence that un- favorable results have followed the use cf the yaccincs.
 ND The state encourages the distri- button of influenza vaccine intended for prophylactic use"
 These recommendations of the Mass -chusctts commission are dignified and conservative, as all such public state .mcnts must be. but they are in line with tho views of the Arizona State Eoard of Health. and in accordance with the practices of the majority Of thc woli-informed physicians Of Ari- lono.
 Not Injurious
 Tho statements that the vaccine, in frluEcntly administered, does damage, ia without foundation. It is, of course. possible Co injure a person with the vaccine. just as he can be injured with my drug given in a poisonous dose. Uut there is absolutely no reason why fnc vaccine. administered by a phtsi- .fan. or under his direction. should do any damage. even though the patient fs suffering from other diseases, for example heart disease or tuberculosis. Tho preventative treatment which is being made and distributed by the Mayo Foundation. of Rochester Minn., fs an influenza vaccine, almost identi- ,al with the one which is being made .n Arizona fo~ use in this state.
 Should Be Used
 Tho opinion of Dr. Rosenow, who is rrc0aring and distributing the vaccine for thc Mayo Foundation, coincides ex- acilv with ours and is to the effect that Tho preventative treatment should, by m means he used. It can do no harm and will either prevent the influenza or diminish the severity of the attack Taking the vaccine should not lead .rvouo Co neglect the other precautions rhVh navc been recommended.
 tSigned)
 ORVILLE H. BROWN.
 State Supt of Public Healtf
 W. WARNER WATKINS Hl thc Pathological Laboratory. Phoe riN Arizona