Evening star., 1943-10-10

Another minor stumbling block was
the fact that at Beirut, one potential
source of production in the area, there
was a shortage OF guinea pigs needed to
test the vaccine before administration
to humans. This could have been over
come by giving American grown guinea
pigs an airplane ride to the Middle East,
but in view of the more serious limiting
factor Of the hens eggs, the decision was
to assign the production task almost en-
tirely to the United States and Canada
and sharply expand production.
Now in stock or in production for re-
lease in the near future are 27 900 liters
Of vaccine-sufficient to treat 6,75O.oOo
cases.
A stockpile of 4,572 liters has been pro-
vided for North Africa and Southern
Europe, and already has been placed In
strategic areas for possible use If tbs
disease should break out during the
winter.
Another stock Of 5000 liters has been
allocated to the Middle East, and 1900
liters are being held in reserve in the
United Kingdom as a reserve stock for
northwestern Europe.
Demand Up Seven Times.
Another major problem for the Medt-
cal Subcommittee is arranging for ample
supplies of gas gangrene antitoxin, an
important aid in treatment of war
wounds
The United States, Great Britain and
Canada are working night and day to
produce 1t, but present indications are
that the demand in 1914 will be at least
seven times the anticipated production
in 1943. The Russians have filed a large
requirement for the material.
Speedy production is complicated by
several factors
The antltoxin is made by injecting
horses with gas gangrene germs. The
horses develop the disease, and at the
same time they produce "antibodies"
which combat the infection. 1t is from
these antibodies that the antitoxin for
human use is produced.
But now every horse will react to tho
infection by the germs and many horses
which do react nevertheless fail to pro-
duce sufficient quantities OF antibodtes
to be OF much help in antitoxin produc-
ton.
so tremendous number of horses Is
required-and the procurement and sta
bling OF the animals requires time and
money.
Actual production Of the antitoxin.
once the horses are infected, takes any,
where from to IS months, according
to the particular formula required.
| There is wide divergence in the formu-
| las now used by the United States and
the United Kingdom. The subcommittee
now Is seeking agreement on a Standard
lied formula.
Short Of Dental Burrs.
Production Of dental burrs-or drill
points-for the armed forces and civil
ians OF the United Nations Is third
major problem.
In an 1l-month period United States
| civilians and fighters alone required A..
245, 900 burrs. In peacetime We produced
about 30 900 900 year,
Confronted with labor shortages and
insufficient production facilities, the
United States fell behind in commit
AAASAANo w OGAiSA AAiSl4OIs III JIl9
early part of the war.
But now the production problem Is
being eased somewhat by aid from Can
ada, Great Britain and Palestine Britain
is pledged to supply all burrs needed by
100000 American troops in the United
Kingdom. Studies are being made along
lines OF providing additional steel and
trained personnel for burrmaking plants
in Palestine.
Research also is being conducted to
determine whether maximum use Is being
made of burrs now available One study
has shown that the British Army gets
almost five times more use out Of burr
before discarding 1t than do the United
States Army and Navy
One expert who appeared before tbs
committee said the difference probably
had nothing to do with the qualities OF
steel used-and probably resulted from
greater luxury in American dental
practice.