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IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN NIGERIANS
445 transformed by P.H.A.,12 and only 24% are killed by prednisolone.13 On the other hand, human blood-lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are nonmotile or have defective motility." Furthermore, most leukaemic lymphocytes are sensitive to prednisolone 13 and D.M.S.O.,14 and few or none are transformed by P.H.A.12 These findings suggest that ieukasmic lymphocytes have the characteristics of T
TYPES OF CHROMOSOME ANOMALY AND NUMBER OF COUPLES STUDIED OUT OF 47 COUPLES WHO HAD HAD ABORTIONS WITH ABNORMAL
CHROMOSOMES
lymphocytes. This study was aided by grants CA-06631 and CA-07541 from the National Cancer Institute, United States Public Health Service. Tumor Research Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141.
ROBERT SCHREK KARAM V. BATRA.
LYMPHOCYTE REACTION IN POLLENOSIS SIR,-Reports on the in-vitro lymphocyte reaction to pollen antigens in sensitised patients 15-17 are at variance with the results of our long-term studies on 27 patients with either spring-time oculorhinitis or oculorhinitis and bronchial asthma. All our patients showed pronounced cutaneous sensitivity to Graminacea pollens, especially to Festuca elatior. Of the 27 patients, 12 had had one or more courses of specific desensitising therapy. Six cultures of peripheral-blood lymphocytes were prepared from every patient, and to each was added an extract of F, elatior, in doses of 5, 10, 20, 50, 200, and 400 Noon pollen units,respectively. In 10 patients cultures were also made with 2000 Noon pollen units. The results were read on the 5th and 7th days after the preparadon of the cultures (and in 4 cases also on the 3rd day), after which the cells were treated with ammoniacal Giemsa’s am 1-2% of blast cells were found in 2 cultures, from different patients. These were tested with 200 Noon units of pollen extract, and examined on the 5th and 7th days respecrive1y. In all other cultures the signs of specific stimulation were absent.
-
:
r ó
We do not believe that our results were negative because of the dosage (since we used at least 6 different amounts of allergen for each patient), nor because of the period of observation of the cultures, which were examined at varied intervals. The absence of a lymphocytic in-vitro reaction to pollen extract in atiergic subjects should not be surprising in a biological sense. The in-vitro lymphocyte reaction to antigen has probably the significance of delayed hypersensitivity, which has been demonstrated in but few patients with pollenosis treated with allergens in emulsion.lAfter analogous treatment, non-atopic subjects showed immediate and, more easily, delayed allergy.19 Pollenosis subjects who were not desensitised or who were treated with aqueous extracts of pollen did not show delayed hypersensitivity, either cutaneous or with passive cell transfer.18 M. RICCI Institute of Clinical Medicine, A. PASSALEVA University of Florence, M. RICCA. Italy.
CHROMOSOMES AND ABORTIONS SIR,-Trisomy in man is diagnosed on morphological evidence from mitotic chromosomes. Thus the finding of an extra element resembling a normal member of the complement does not exclude other possible origins for the chromosome such as translocation or deletion. Several published reports 12 Oppenheim, J. J., Whang, J., Frei, E., III. Blood, 1965, 26, 121. 13 Schrek, R. J. Natn. Cancer Inst. 1964, 33, 837. 14 Schrek, R. Lancet, 1965, ii, 1020. 15 Lycette, R. R., Pearmain, G. E. Lancet, 1963, ii, 386. 16 Rose, N. R., Girard, J. P., Kunz, M. L., Kobayashi, S., Dolovich, J., Arbesman, C. E. Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, New York City, Feb. 21-23, 1966. 17 Wiener, S., Brosch, J. Med. J. Aust. 1965, i, 148. 18 Slavin, R. G., Tennenbaum, J. I., Becker, R. J., Feinberg, S. M. J. Allergy, 1963, 34, 368. 19 Becker, R. J., Sparks, D. B., Feinberg, S. M., Patterson, R., Pruzansky, J, Feinberg, A. R. ibid. 1961, 32, 229.
*
Has since
given birth to a normal child. one couple.
t Wife only in
have confirmed that translocation products can simulate members of the normal chromosome complement.I-4 Usually the phenotype of the individual is a guide to the designation of the extra element, as in Down’s, Di, and 17-18 trisomy, syndromes. In abortions there is no phenotype to help in the designation of an extra chromosome. We have attempted to study the chromosomes of individuals who had produced a chromosomally abnormal abortus, in order to exclude translocation as a source of the anomaly. of 47 who had had abortions with abnormal studied (see accompanying table). Peripheral-leucocyte cultures were prepared for all individuals, and skin cultures in addition for the couple who had had the trisomy no. 3 abortus. Both parents were studied in 19 instances, and the wife alone in the other 3. In all individuals studied the chromosomes were normal. 22
couples,
chromosomes,
out
were
The finding of normal chromosomes in 16 of the 26 couples who had had an abortus with one extra chromosome suggests that the men and women concerned were not translocation carriers. It further strengthens the belief that the extra element found in the abortuses was a member of the normal chromosome complement. But the possibility of mosaicism with a translocation present in the germ line cannot be excluded. Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
RODERICK P. SINGH ALANA RUBINOFF DAVID H. CARR.
IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN NIGERIANS SIR,-Since the introduction of quantitative immunochemical methods for the estimation of immunoglobulins, various values for immunoglobulin concentration in healthy individuals have been reported from different parts of the world. During the prolonged dry season in 1965 in Nigeria IgG concentration as estimated by two different methods in a group of 25 Nigerians agreed very closely, and was found to be 14-58 mg. per ml. (s.D. 4-70 mg. per ml.) and 15-21 mg. per ml.
(S.D. 3-94 mg. per ml.). In this group of healthy Nigerians IgM concentration by the single-diffusion method was 0-87mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-36 mg. per ml.), and 1-56 mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-76 mg. per ml.) by the double-diffusion technique of Gelland Soothill.6 For IgA the values obtained were 2-37 mg. per ml. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
D. Abstracts of the International Copenhagen Congress for the Scientific Study of Mental Retardation; p. 61. 1964. Jacobsen, F., Dupont, A., Mikkelsen, M. Lancet, 1963, ii, 584. de Lozzio, C. B., Valencia, J. I. ibid. 1963, i, 1106. Vislie, H., Wehn, M., Brøgger, A., Mohr, J. ibid, 1962, ii, 76. Gell, P. G. H. J. clin. Path. 1957, 10, 67. Soothill, J. F. J. Lab. clin. Med. 1962, 59, 859.
Eisen, J.
446
(S.D. 0-4 mg. per ml.) and 0.82 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-032 mg. per ml.) respectively. Although the values obtained by both methods for both IgA and IgM showed significant variation they provide a useful guide for the normal range in Nigerians during the dry season. In the rainy season, using only the single-diffusion method, I found that the immunoglobulins, especially IgG and IgM, were 36-57 mg. per ml. (S.D. 2-8 mg. per ml.) and 3-18 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-54 mg. per ml.) respectively, which is 2-3 times what they were during the dry season. As the amount of rainfall decreased so too did the concentrations of the immunoglobulins, which seemed to return to the values found during the dry season. IgA in adult Nigerians did not show any definite seasonal variation. In a group of 20 Nigerian cord-bloods examined during the dry season no IgA could be detected, and IgM was 0-091 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-030 mg. per ml.). In the rainy season over 90% of another group of 25 Nigerian cord-sera examined had detectable IgA ranging from a trace to 0-50 mg. per ml. and IgM was 0 16 mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-045 mg. per ml.), which was significantly greater than what was detected during the dry season. In Nigerian cord-bloods no such seasonal variation was noticed in IgG. It is suggested that seasonal variation, and therefore the immune response, play an important role in determining the concentration of immunoglobulins in healthy individuals. Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
al. have described a remarkable effect of L. treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Earlier observations on the effect of the same preparation were made by Rafsky et al.3 Veterinarians have observed a striking decrease in the mortality of newborn pigs from a diarrhoea, frequendy fatal, which they are apt to get when weaned, but which nm be prevented by administration of L. acidophilus.4 The working name of the preparation used isVentna Acido ’(Cemelle Corporation, Vegeholm, Sweden). It is i the form of enteric-coated tablets, each containing 25 n-lliot organisms of L. acidophilus, which should be keptin a refrigera. tor. The dosage that I have used consists of three tablets 2-3 times daily; like thyroid, they should not be chewed.
Read
et
philus in the
.
Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ask-Upmark, E. Br. med. J. 1960, ii, 823; Bedside Medicine, Stockholm, 1963; Nervsystem och Invärtes Sjukdom, Stockholm, 1966; Akut Medicin, Stockholm, 1966.
ERIK ASK-UPMARK.
Obituary ALAN POWELL GOFFE M.B. Lond., Dip. Bact.
HYLTON MCFARLANE.
A NEW REMEDY FOR MIGRAINE SIR,-Although migraine is rarely fatalit is a common disorder, disabling many persons for a great part of their life. Provided that the diagnosis is established beyond reasonable doubt, and that symptomatic types of " migraine " such as are caused by tumours, arterial malformations, and temporal arteritis are excluded, many patients respond to the treatment generally used-i.e., reduction of stress and strain, mild sedation, and occasionally also steroids such as progestogens or prednisolone. Ergotamine preparations are useful for the attacks if there are no contraindications such as coronary insufficiency or disease of arteries elsewhere in the body, as in the legs. Nevertheless, it has long been recognised that there are patients with migraine who are resistant to conventional treatment. There is some evidence of a connection between the gastrointestinal tract and migraine. Firstly, the importance of regular bowel function in patients with migraine is well known. Secondly, migraine may sometimes be induced by allergy to a food-for instance, egg, fish, or shrimps. If this particular food is avoided alleviation is likely. Thirdly, I have more than once witnessed the complete disappearance of migraine during an attack of hepatitis-in exactly the same way as Hench observed the disappearance of rheumatoid arthritis after hepatitis. " Fourthly, the French speak of a migraine duodenale "; and cholecystectomies on patients with migraine are apt to be followed by biliary attacks more often than are those on patients without migraine. I have fortuitously come upon a preparation which seems able to help at least some instances of migraine, otherwise resistant to medical treatment. I have had under my care a lady, aged 53, who for several years had been treated unsuccessfully for migraine, but who also for nearly 20 years had had a colitis which at least in the beginning was ulcerative and which was still troublesome. To relieve her intestinal disturbance I gave her a preparation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (hoping to alter the bacterial flora of her gut) which she has now been taking constantly for a year. Not only has her intestinal disturbance been greatly improved, but unexpectedly her migraine has disappeared almost completely. I see many patients with migraine. I have given this pre1.
paration of L. acidophilus to 10 patients who failed to respond to the ordinary regimen, and there has been substantial improvement in 8 patients-who incidentally have some degree of gastrointestinal disturbance. In 2 patients no effect was noted. Most of these patients have been observed for a few months only.
Dr. Alan Goffe, the virologist, was lost at sea on Aug. 13 while yachting off the Isle of Wight. He was 46. After qualifying from University College Hospital in 1944, he served in the R.A.M.C. for two years, attaining the rank of major as a graded specialist. He then joined the staff of the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, where he began a
distinguished career as a virologist. In 1955 he was appointed to the rapidly expanding virus depart. ment
of the Wellcome Research
Laboratories, Beckenham, and he made a major contribution to its growth and development. Ten years later he became head of
a
newly created department of ex. perimental cytology at Beckenham. His special interest in research that would lead to the control of infectious diseases in man by immunising agents led him to join the Wellcome Research Laboratories. He made it clear at the time that he would be interested only in work which would have a direct bearing on the relief of human suffering. During his service with the virus department he carried out funda’ mental and applied research on a number of different viruses pathogenic to man, including the common cold and adenoviruses and particularly the viruses of poliomyelitis and measles. He also investigated various simian viruses growing in tissue cultures and poultry viruses appearing as natural infections in chick embryos. Probably his contributionsoi greatest importance were in the development of highly effecate vaccines, both of the Salk and Sabin types, against poliomyelitis and his further attenuation of Enders Edmonston B strain of measles virus which led to the development of the Beckenham (sometimes called the Goffe) strain of measles virus from which a vaccine of maximum protective value and minimum reaction was ultimately prepared and marketed. He of was also closely concerned with the design and conduct vaccine5 clinical and field trials with poliomyelitis and measles A. E., McCarthy, C. F., Heatin, K. W., Laidlaw, J. Br. med. 1966, i, 1267. 3. Rafsky, H., Rafsky, J. C. Am. J. Gastroent, N.Y. 1953, 24, 87. 4. Kohler, E. M. J. Am. med. vet. Ass. 1964, 144, 1294.
2.
Read,
i I
TYPES OF CHROMOSOME ANOMALY AND NUMBER OF COUPLES STUDIED OUT OF 47 COUPLES WHO HAD HAD ABORTIONS WITH ABNORMAL
CHROMOSOMES
lymphocytes. This study was aided by grants CA-06631 and CA-07541 from the National Cancer Institute, United States Public Health Service. Tumor Research Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141.
ROBERT SCHREK KARAM V. BATRA.
LYMPHOCYTE REACTION IN POLLENOSIS SIR,-Reports on the in-vitro lymphocyte reaction to pollen antigens in sensitised patients 15-17 are at variance with the results of our long-term studies on 27 patients with either spring-time oculorhinitis or oculorhinitis and bronchial asthma. All our patients showed pronounced cutaneous sensitivity to Graminacea pollens, especially to Festuca elatior. Of the 27 patients, 12 had had one or more courses of specific desensitising therapy. Six cultures of peripheral-blood lymphocytes were prepared from every patient, and to each was added an extract of F, elatior, in doses of 5, 10, 20, 50, 200, and 400 Noon pollen units,respectively. In 10 patients cultures were also made with 2000 Noon pollen units. The results were read on the 5th and 7th days after the preparadon of the cultures (and in 4 cases also on the 3rd day), after which the cells were treated with ammoniacal Giemsa’s am 1-2% of blast cells were found in 2 cultures, from different patients. These were tested with 200 Noon units of pollen extract, and examined on the 5th and 7th days respecrive1y. In all other cultures the signs of specific stimulation were absent.
-
:
r ó
We do not believe that our results were negative because of the dosage (since we used at least 6 different amounts of allergen for each patient), nor because of the period of observation of the cultures, which were examined at varied intervals. The absence of a lymphocytic in-vitro reaction to pollen extract in atiergic subjects should not be surprising in a biological sense. The in-vitro lymphocyte reaction to antigen has probably the significance of delayed hypersensitivity, which has been demonstrated in but few patients with pollenosis treated with allergens in emulsion.lAfter analogous treatment, non-atopic subjects showed immediate and, more easily, delayed allergy.19 Pollenosis subjects who were not desensitised or who were treated with aqueous extracts of pollen did not show delayed hypersensitivity, either cutaneous or with passive cell transfer.18 M. RICCI Institute of Clinical Medicine, A. PASSALEVA University of Florence, M. RICCA. Italy.
CHROMOSOMES AND ABORTIONS SIR,-Trisomy in man is diagnosed on morphological evidence from mitotic chromosomes. Thus the finding of an extra element resembling a normal member of the complement does not exclude other possible origins for the chromosome such as translocation or deletion. Several published reports 12 Oppenheim, J. J., Whang, J., Frei, E., III. Blood, 1965, 26, 121. 13 Schrek, R. J. Natn. Cancer Inst. 1964, 33, 837. 14 Schrek, R. Lancet, 1965, ii, 1020. 15 Lycette, R. R., Pearmain, G. E. Lancet, 1963, ii, 386. 16 Rose, N. R., Girard, J. P., Kunz, M. L., Kobayashi, S., Dolovich, J., Arbesman, C. E. Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, New York City, Feb. 21-23, 1966. 17 Wiener, S., Brosch, J. Med. J. Aust. 1965, i, 148. 18 Slavin, R. G., Tennenbaum, J. I., Becker, R. J., Feinberg, S. M. J. Allergy, 1963, 34, 368. 19 Becker, R. J., Sparks, D. B., Feinberg, S. M., Patterson, R., Pruzansky, J, Feinberg, A. R. ibid. 1961, 32, 229.
*
Has since
given birth to a normal child. one couple.
t Wife only in
have confirmed that translocation products can simulate members of the normal chromosome complement.I-4 Usually the phenotype of the individual is a guide to the designation of the extra element, as in Down’s, Di, and 17-18 trisomy, syndromes. In abortions there is no phenotype to help in the designation of an extra chromosome. We have attempted to study the chromosomes of individuals who had produced a chromosomally abnormal abortus, in order to exclude translocation as a source of the anomaly. of 47 who had had abortions with abnormal studied (see accompanying table). Peripheral-leucocyte cultures were prepared for all individuals, and skin cultures in addition for the couple who had had the trisomy no. 3 abortus. Both parents were studied in 19 instances, and the wife alone in the other 3. In all individuals studied the chromosomes were normal. 22
couples,
chromosomes,
out
were
The finding of normal chromosomes in 16 of the 26 couples who had had an abortus with one extra chromosome suggests that the men and women concerned were not translocation carriers. It further strengthens the belief that the extra element found in the abortuses was a member of the normal chromosome complement. But the possibility of mosaicism with a translocation present in the germ line cannot be excluded. Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
RODERICK P. SINGH ALANA RUBINOFF DAVID H. CARR.
IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN NIGERIANS SIR,-Since the introduction of quantitative immunochemical methods for the estimation of immunoglobulins, various values for immunoglobulin concentration in healthy individuals have been reported from different parts of the world. During the prolonged dry season in 1965 in Nigeria IgG concentration as estimated by two different methods in a group of 25 Nigerians agreed very closely, and was found to be 14-58 mg. per ml. (s.D. 4-70 mg. per ml.) and 15-21 mg. per ml.
(S.D. 3-94 mg. per ml.). In this group of healthy Nigerians IgM concentration by the single-diffusion method was 0-87mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-36 mg. per ml.), and 1-56 mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-76 mg. per ml.) by the double-diffusion technique of Gelland Soothill.6 For IgA the values obtained were 2-37 mg. per ml. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
D. Abstracts of the International Copenhagen Congress for the Scientific Study of Mental Retardation; p. 61. 1964. Jacobsen, F., Dupont, A., Mikkelsen, M. Lancet, 1963, ii, 584. de Lozzio, C. B., Valencia, J. I. ibid. 1963, i, 1106. Vislie, H., Wehn, M., Brøgger, A., Mohr, J. ibid, 1962, ii, 76. Gell, P. G. H. J. clin. Path. 1957, 10, 67. Soothill, J. F. J. Lab. clin. Med. 1962, 59, 859.
Eisen, J.
446
(S.D. 0-4 mg. per ml.) and 0.82 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-032 mg. per ml.) respectively. Although the values obtained by both methods for both IgA and IgM showed significant variation they provide a useful guide for the normal range in Nigerians during the dry season. In the rainy season, using only the single-diffusion method, I found that the immunoglobulins, especially IgG and IgM, were 36-57 mg. per ml. (S.D. 2-8 mg. per ml.) and 3-18 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-54 mg. per ml.) respectively, which is 2-3 times what they were during the dry season. As the amount of rainfall decreased so too did the concentrations of the immunoglobulins, which seemed to return to the values found during the dry season. IgA in adult Nigerians did not show any definite seasonal variation. In a group of 20 Nigerian cord-bloods examined during the dry season no IgA could be detected, and IgM was 0-091 mg. per ml. (s.D. 0-030 mg. per ml.). In the rainy season over 90% of another group of 25 Nigerian cord-sera examined had detectable IgA ranging from a trace to 0-50 mg. per ml. and IgM was 0 16 mg. per ml. (S.D. 0-045 mg. per ml.), which was significantly greater than what was detected during the dry season. In Nigerian cord-bloods no such seasonal variation was noticed in IgG. It is suggested that seasonal variation, and therefore the immune response, play an important role in determining the concentration of immunoglobulins in healthy individuals. Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
al. have described a remarkable effect of L. treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Earlier observations on the effect of the same preparation were made by Rafsky et al.3 Veterinarians have observed a striking decrease in the mortality of newborn pigs from a diarrhoea, frequendy fatal, which they are apt to get when weaned, but which nm be prevented by administration of L. acidophilus.4 The working name of the preparation used isVentna Acido ’(Cemelle Corporation, Vegeholm, Sweden). It is i the form of enteric-coated tablets, each containing 25 n-lliot organisms of L. acidophilus, which should be keptin a refrigera. tor. The dosage that I have used consists of three tablets 2-3 times daily; like thyroid, they should not be chewed.
Read
et
philus in the
.
Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ask-Upmark, E. Br. med. J. 1960, ii, 823; Bedside Medicine, Stockholm, 1963; Nervsystem och Invärtes Sjukdom, Stockholm, 1966; Akut Medicin, Stockholm, 1966.
ERIK ASK-UPMARK.
Obituary ALAN POWELL GOFFE M.B. Lond., Dip. Bact.
HYLTON MCFARLANE.
A NEW REMEDY FOR MIGRAINE SIR,-Although migraine is rarely fatalit is a common disorder, disabling many persons for a great part of their life. Provided that the diagnosis is established beyond reasonable doubt, and that symptomatic types of " migraine " such as are caused by tumours, arterial malformations, and temporal arteritis are excluded, many patients respond to the treatment generally used-i.e., reduction of stress and strain, mild sedation, and occasionally also steroids such as progestogens or prednisolone. Ergotamine preparations are useful for the attacks if there are no contraindications such as coronary insufficiency or disease of arteries elsewhere in the body, as in the legs. Nevertheless, it has long been recognised that there are patients with migraine who are resistant to conventional treatment. There is some evidence of a connection between the gastrointestinal tract and migraine. Firstly, the importance of regular bowel function in patients with migraine is well known. Secondly, migraine may sometimes be induced by allergy to a food-for instance, egg, fish, or shrimps. If this particular food is avoided alleviation is likely. Thirdly, I have more than once witnessed the complete disappearance of migraine during an attack of hepatitis-in exactly the same way as Hench observed the disappearance of rheumatoid arthritis after hepatitis. " Fourthly, the French speak of a migraine duodenale "; and cholecystectomies on patients with migraine are apt to be followed by biliary attacks more often than are those on patients without migraine. I have fortuitously come upon a preparation which seems able to help at least some instances of migraine, otherwise resistant to medical treatment. I have had under my care a lady, aged 53, who for several years had been treated unsuccessfully for migraine, but who also for nearly 20 years had had a colitis which at least in the beginning was ulcerative and which was still troublesome. To relieve her intestinal disturbance I gave her a preparation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (hoping to alter the bacterial flora of her gut) which she has now been taking constantly for a year. Not only has her intestinal disturbance been greatly improved, but unexpectedly her migraine has disappeared almost completely. I see many patients with migraine. I have given this pre1.
paration of L. acidophilus to 10 patients who failed to respond to the ordinary regimen, and there has been substantial improvement in 8 patients-who incidentally have some degree of gastrointestinal disturbance. In 2 patients no effect was noted. Most of these patients have been observed for a few months only.
Dr. Alan Goffe, the virologist, was lost at sea on Aug. 13 while yachting off the Isle of Wight. He was 46. After qualifying from University College Hospital in 1944, he served in the R.A.M.C. for two years, attaining the rank of major as a graded specialist. He then joined the staff of the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, where he began a
distinguished career as a virologist. In 1955 he was appointed to the rapidly expanding virus depart. ment
of the Wellcome Research
Laboratories, Beckenham, and he made a major contribution to its growth and development. Ten years later he became head of
a
newly created department of ex. perimental cytology at Beckenham. His special interest in research that would lead to the control of infectious diseases in man by immunising agents led him to join the Wellcome Research Laboratories. He made it clear at the time that he would be interested only in work which would have a direct bearing on the relief of human suffering. During his service with the virus department he carried out funda’ mental and applied research on a number of different viruses pathogenic to man, including the common cold and adenoviruses and particularly the viruses of poliomyelitis and measles. He also investigated various simian viruses growing in tissue cultures and poultry viruses appearing as natural infections in chick embryos. Probably his contributionsoi greatest importance were in the development of highly effecate vaccines, both of the Salk and Sabin types, against poliomyelitis and his further attenuation of Enders Edmonston B strain of measles virus which led to the development of the Beckenham (sometimes called the Goffe) strain of measles virus from which a vaccine of maximum protective value and minimum reaction was ultimately prepared and marketed. He of was also closely concerned with the design and conduct vaccine5 clinical and field trials with poliomyelitis and measles A. E., McCarthy, C. F., Heatin, K. W., Laidlaw, J. Br. med. 1966, i, 1267. 3. Rafsky, H., Rafsky, J. C. Am. J. Gastroent, N.Y. 1953, 24, 87. 4. Kohler, E. M. J. Am. med. vet. Ass. 1964, 144, 1294.
2.
Read,
i I