- Email: [email protected]
The opium question, with special reference to Persia
889
REVIEWS.
LOCAL IMMUNISATION.* This small book is a translation by Dr. PLOTZ, a fellow worker of BESREDKA, of the latter's " Immunisation Locale," published in 1925 (Paris : Masson and Co.). Some slight additions and emendations have been made by the translator but the price of the book in its English dress is astonishingly high. T h e work embodies BESREDKA'Sresearches of recent years dealing with staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, anthrax, enteric fever and bacillary dysentery. By administration of the appropriate antigen, in form of poultices on the skin or pills by the mouth, BESREDKAclaims that rapid and efficient immunisation can be produced and that antibody-development at least to any marked degree, does not enter into the question. At places in the book the argument in support of the " antivirus " notion is pushed, we think, too far, particularly when it is brought into relation with passive immunity. Nevertheless, the text is admirably lucid, and where it reads like a romance, it simply serves to stimulate thought and criticism. T h o u g h much of the experiment and much of its interpretation have not secured confirmation and approval from workers who have entered this field, it is undeniable that BESREDKAhas done good service by drawing attention to potentialities in local defence mechanisms particularly in the skin, and if these potentialities can be brought to light by entirely non-specific stimulations they are none the less of deep interest and importance. With regard to the use of these oral vaccines in mass prophylaxis it is, we think, of great importance that attempts should be made to secure some comparative estimate of their value by employing the more familiar routes in control series. Thus only will it be possible to obtain real knowledge as to their alleged prophylactic value in the field. J, C. G. LEDINGHAM.
T H E O P I U M Q U E S T I O N , W I T H S P E C I A L R E F E R E N C E T O PERSIA. t This is a concise and practical resum6 of the Opium Question as it concerns Persia. T h e author has made good use of his twenty years in that country * By Professor A. B~SP.EDKA,Pasteur Institute, Paris. Edited and translated by Dr. HARRY PLOTZ, Pasteur Institute, Paris. London : BaiUi~re, TindaU and Cox. 1927. Price, 16s. t By A. R. NELIGAN, M.D. (Lond.), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P., D.T.M. & H. (Camb.). John Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd., London. 1927. Price, 5s.
REVIEWS.
in studying the question from the economic and political, as well as from the purely moral and medical, aspects. The difficulties of the matter are clearly described ; and it is evident that hasty and unpractical methods used in suppression will do more harm than good, and that the remedy proposed by the Persian Government itself is the obvious one--that of gradually replacing the opium industry, which provides nearly 9 per cent. of the total revenue, with other methods of livelihood and of obtaining State funds. It is pleasing to note that the preparation and consumption of shireh have been forbidden by law ; and if only the smoking of opium generally could be made illegal this would be a still greater step towards progress. The smoking of opium in any form is by far the most pernicious and deleterious method of taking the drug. I thoroughly agree with Dr. NELIGANthat no attempt should be made to diminish seriously the amount of opium for local consumption until the existing sources of morphine, heroin and cocaine have been brought under control ; while to expect any diminution so long as inferior alcohol and these various alkaloids are being imported from more highly organised States in increasing quantities is both cynical and unbusinesslike. More education and propaganda, better means of transport, and new industries may take time, butthey will be found to be the safest solution of the question. The Persian Government is well aware of the dangers of the abuse of opium and, though the obstacles in the way are many, a definite attempt i§ being made towards its solution. This book should be studied by all who are interested in the subject. T. CA~Y EVANS.
REVIEWS.
LOCAL IMMUNISATION.* This small book is a translation by Dr. PLOTZ, a fellow worker of BESREDKA, of the latter's " Immunisation Locale," published in 1925 (Paris : Masson and Co.). Some slight additions and emendations have been made by the translator but the price of the book in its English dress is astonishingly high. T h e work embodies BESREDKA'Sresearches of recent years dealing with staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, anthrax, enteric fever and bacillary dysentery. By administration of the appropriate antigen, in form of poultices on the skin or pills by the mouth, BESREDKAclaims that rapid and efficient immunisation can be produced and that antibody-development at least to any marked degree, does not enter into the question. At places in the book the argument in support of the " antivirus " notion is pushed, we think, too far, particularly when it is brought into relation with passive immunity. Nevertheless, the text is admirably lucid, and where it reads like a romance, it simply serves to stimulate thought and criticism. T h o u g h much of the experiment and much of its interpretation have not secured confirmation and approval from workers who have entered this field, it is undeniable that BESREDKAhas done good service by drawing attention to potentialities in local defence mechanisms particularly in the skin, and if these potentialities can be brought to light by entirely non-specific stimulations they are none the less of deep interest and importance. With regard to the use of these oral vaccines in mass prophylaxis it is, we think, of great importance that attempts should be made to secure some comparative estimate of their value by employing the more familiar routes in control series. Thus only will it be possible to obtain real knowledge as to their alleged prophylactic value in the field. J, C. G. LEDINGHAM.
T H E O P I U M Q U E S T I O N , W I T H S P E C I A L R E F E R E N C E T O PERSIA. t This is a concise and practical resum6 of the Opium Question as it concerns Persia. T h e author has made good use of his twenty years in that country * By Professor A. B~SP.EDKA,Pasteur Institute, Paris. Edited and translated by Dr. HARRY PLOTZ, Pasteur Institute, Paris. London : BaiUi~re, TindaU and Cox. 1927. Price, 16s. t By A. R. NELIGAN, M.D. (Lond.), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P., D.T.M. & H. (Camb.). John Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd., London. 1927. Price, 5s.
REVIEWS.
in studying the question from the economic and political, as well as from the purely moral and medical, aspects. The difficulties of the matter are clearly described ; and it is evident that hasty and unpractical methods used in suppression will do more harm than good, and that the remedy proposed by the Persian Government itself is the obvious one--that of gradually replacing the opium industry, which provides nearly 9 per cent. of the total revenue, with other methods of livelihood and of obtaining State funds. It is pleasing to note that the preparation and consumption of shireh have been forbidden by law ; and if only the smoking of opium generally could be made illegal this would be a still greater step towards progress. The smoking of opium in any form is by far the most pernicious and deleterious method of taking the drug. I thoroughly agree with Dr. NELIGANthat no attempt should be made to diminish seriously the amount of opium for local consumption until the existing sources of morphine, heroin and cocaine have been brought under control ; while to expect any diminution so long as inferior alcohol and these various alkaloids are being imported from more highly organised States in increasing quantities is both cynical and unbusinesslike. More education and propaganda, better means of transport, and new industries may take time, butthey will be found to be the safest solution of the question. The Persian Government is well aware of the dangers of the abuse of opium and, though the obstacles in the way are many, a definite attempt i§ being made towards its solution. This book should be studied by all who are interested in the subject. T. CA~Y EVANS.