Connaught Laboratories of University of Toronto Announce Discovery
SEND IT TO HOSPITALS
Though Difficult to Prepare, Large Supply May Soon be Available
A preventive vaccine for influenza has been discovered in Toronto, and already its distribution to Ontario hospitals has commenced. Announcement to this effect was made! last night by the Connaught Laboratories at the University of Toronto.! The vaccine consists of dead germs of influenza, and eighteen strains of, these germs are used in its preparation. The preparation of the vac- cine in large quantities is difficult, but 7.000 doses already have been
sent out.
The Director of the Connaught Laboratories, Major J. G. Fitzgerlad, is at present overseas as officer in command of No. 39 Mobile Laboratory, France. Dr. R. D. Defries, the acting Director, is in charge of the work.
The statement issued by the Connaught Laboratories is as follows:
"Connaught Laboratories, University of Toronto, have announced the production of a preventive vaccine for influenza.
Work Commenced on Outbreak.
"Immediately after the outbreak; of the epidemic here, work was commenced on the subject of influenza, and this work has been actively carried on with the co-operation of both the military and civil authorities, with the idea of determining the cause and means of spread of the disease. Following the work of the New York City Health Department,| a vaccine has been prepared in large enough quantities for distribution. The vaccine consists of dead germs of influenza, and eighteen strains of these germs are used in the preparation of the vaccine. These strains were obtained through the New York and Boston authorities, and represent strains isolated in these cities and in several of the army camps of the United States. The influenza germ must be cultivated on special media and is extremely difficult to grow, being a very delicate organ-j ism. The preparation of a vaccine 1 in large quantities is therefore most difficult. Yesterday distribution of. the first supply of vaccine was commenced to the hospitals in Ontario for the use of the nurses and doctors and to the army authorities. The first supply of vaccine amounted to: 7,000 doses. The work is being carried out on a large scale, and steady supply of vaccine, it is hoped,; will soon be available. The University desires to point out that as the vaccine is extremely difficult to prepare, it should be used first in those places where it is most needed. The vaccine will be distributed by the; University entirely free at present.
Established For Investigation.
"The Connaught Laboratories were established along the lines of the Rockefeller Institute of New York and the Lister Institute of) London, England, for investigation in the field of preventive medicine. and production of public health vaccines and serums. The laboratories have distributed during the last four years diphtheria antitoxin and other 5. necessary products, not only throughout Canada, to the Provincial Health Departments, but also have supplied the Department of Militia and Defense with all the B. tetanus (lockjaw) preventive serum Vi required for our overseas forces"