Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-02-18
Big DEMAND FOR
VACCINE FOR FLU
injections Being Given
To Public Free By
DR.. Bond

Although new cases of influenza
as reported to DR.. Bond, county
health officer, are few, big demand
for injections of the anti-flu-pneu-
monia vaccine has been vOcy large
during the last few days. This vac
cine is furnished by the state and is
being administered by DR.. Bond with
out charge.
No guarantees go with the serum,
however, DR.. Bond merely stating to
inquirers that it is recommended by
the health authorities as a proven
tive, particularly of pneumonia. Just
at present there is considerable dis
cussion. among experts as the efficacy
of the vaccine, DR.. V. H. Bessett, city
bacteriologist of Savannah having at
tackled it as worthless, in his opinion.
DIR. Bessett has given out the follow
ing statement on the subjects:
'In fighting vicious disease of
is would be highly desirable to Sc
cure specific vaccine for the pro-
duction of immunity. The recogni-
ton of this principle has resulted in
extensive research work and expert
mentation, but so far this has secur-
ed no conclusive results. In the opin-
ion of those best qualified to judge,
this has come from the failure to dis
cover the specific organism causing
the disease. The thesis, maintained
by some, that a disease of the char
acter of epidemic influenza, is caus-
ed by a number of organisms, vary
ing in different communities, is alb
sured, and without any adequate
scientific foundation.
Army Results.
"Inasmuch as many persons, who
have adequate knowledge of the
work which has been done, are re-
ferring to the experiences of the med
ical officers of the U. S. army as prov
ing the value of influenza vaccine,
the following communication address
cl to medical officers issued in an
official publication from the office of
the surgeon general of the U. S.
army, may prove of interest at the
present time:
"'You are reminded that so far a
comprehensive analysis of results OBJ
tanned by the use of monovalent and
polyvalent vaccines in the prevention
O. influenza has not demonstrated
their values. Much carefully con-
trolled experimental work is now be-
ing carried out on this Inject both
in civil institutions and in the army
and any worthwhile advances will be
reported in the review from time to
time. If a prospective vaccine is de-
veloped, it will be prepared at the
yoooI:aaI rolN1J fn,- die
tribution and all medical officers will
be duly notified. The general use of
the present commercial polyvalent
protective against influenza is not
considered desirable. Numerous
kilograms and other acquisitions are
being received for influenza vaccine.
In view of the fact that no trophy
Tactic influenza vaccine is available,
such acquisitions should be 'discon-
tinued.
VIII Give Notice.
''The United States Public Health
Service has also notified the public
that when conclusive evidence has
been secured of the value of any vac
cine for combating influenza, due
notice of the fact will be given by
the service. Statements from unau-
thOrized sources should therefore be
resolved with caution, since such
statements may be commercial prop
uganda, based on insufficient and in
complete scientific work.
''The question as to the value of
vaccines in combating influenza Is
therefore one which has not yet been
decided. Any use at present made
is entirely experimental. 1t is to b,
hoped that during the present epidem-
ic some one of the many institutions
engaged in systematic study of the
disease may discover its real cause,
aid from this knowledge may come
the possibility of vaccine which will
be truly specific"