INFLUENZA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1933, Page 7

INFLUENZA

THE GERM FOUND

CURE NOW SOUGHT.

LONDON, July 7

After 40 years’ research the ul tra-imicrosco-pjc germ that causes influenza ha§ <been identified for the first time. This is -a striking -achievement, and medical men to-day are hailing a really important discovery. Yet without, minimising its value, they point out that the problem of .inflhenza is still far from ''solved. Many years’ work may still be needed ■before knowledge of the cause of influenza leads to its cure. Three research workers—Mr P. P. ■Laidlaw, >Dr Wilson Smith and Dr C. <H. Andrewes—on the staff of the National Institute for Medical Research, .working an the Institute’s laboratories a.t Mill Hill, have, after a long series of experiments, been able to show that influenza is caused by a filterable virus —a germ so tiny that it can pass through a porcelain filter.

FERRETS USED. This conclusion is contrary to the general opinion held a few years ago, ibut it 'corroborates remarkably some brilliant work recently completed in America on a similar disease in animals. At Mill -Hill ferrets were used for the first time in such work, and they were found to be susceptible to infection with human influenza. In this way the virus of the disease was isolated.

With the cause -made clear, the possibilities of cure became much more hopeful,' and three doctors are to eon-t-inue their work. The pivoblem is pressing. The influenza epidemic at- the beginning of this year wa s comparatively mild, yet about- 20,000 people died in Great Britain'alone.

There are two lines -of Research now /being studied. It has been -found that after influenza there is - a period of immunity before' susceptibility to further.’ infection recurs. By: a suitable serum, .it may be possible to extend this period considerably.

RESTRICTING INFECTION. *

Alternately, a 6»rum that could be used - ,as i a -preventive would be even more valuable. A t present there does not appear to be much, hope-of a .remedy that, would make the onset of influenza impossible, -but it is considered likely that by such means infection -might be restricted to a mild form.

This w-ould be similar to the recent Successful work in restricting distemper in dogs -for''which Mr' Laidlaw was-to sponsible. By use- of a serum, the attack, if occurring at- all, is reduced to a mild form and there are no seriou 3 after-effects,

Another interesting point shown by the doctors’ work is that influenza entirely different from the common cold. People have long thought that influenza was just an exceptionally bad cold, but these experiments show that the causes of the two ailments bear no relation to each other.

/['■other point the doctors are examining close]v i>s whether the fatal form of influenza is caused by additional bacterial infection setting up complications.

... brilliant team. The doctor's 'responsible for this discovery are a brilliant team who have ibee n working together for some time. Mr Laidiaw i s ia Cambridge man, well known as a- research bacteriologist. His work on distemper, lasting nearly 12 years, was crowned with success. Dr Andrewes is a London man, and is following in the footsteps of a distinguished father. • Sir Frederick Andrewes was a. famous bacteriologist, arid ,his son has already published several important papers particularly relating to cancer problems. Dr W>l is on Smith is a Manchester man.