To the Editor:—Has there been work done of sufficient extent to be of value in justifying use of mixed “shotgun” vaccines to abort or immunize “common colds,” that is, rhinitis, pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, coryza, etc.?Charles E. Bennett, M.D., Aneta, N. D.
To the Editor:—Has there been work done of sufficient extent to be of value in justifying use of mixed “shotgun” vaccines to abort or immunize “common colds,” that is, rhinitis, pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, coryza, etc.?
Charles E. Bennett, M.D., Aneta, N. D.
Answer.—We know of no investigation which demonstrates that the use of the commercial mixed vaccines are of value in the prevention or treatment of “common colds” or of similar affections. The Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry accepts for New and Nonofficial Remedies mixed vaccines only on condition that their usefulness has been established by acceptable clinical evidence; so far it has not admitted any of the “influenza” or “catarrhal” mixed vaccines.—(Correspondence in The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 10, 1917.)
To the Editor:—Please advise me of the latest and best vaccine for common colds.L. J. Smith, M.D., Wilson, N. C.Health Officer, City and County Health Department.
To the Editor:—Please advise me of the latest and best vaccine for common colds.
L. J. Smith, M.D., Wilson, N. C.
Health Officer, City and County Health Department.
Answer.—There is no scientific evidence that common colds can be prevented by the use of vaccines, despite the glowing recommendations of vaccine makers and the patter of the detail man. Colds characterized by catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat are caused by various organisms, including a number of the commoner cocci and the bacillus of Pfeiffer. They are contagious, and spread rapidly from one person to another by the transfer of the bacteria concerned, so that small epidemics of colds are continually occurring in homes and communities. The organism concerned in one small epidemic may be different from that in another, and it is impossible to anticipate what organism is about to invade the household or community. The inoculation of mixed vaccines in the hope of providing against a number of possible invaders fails to produce immunity sufficient to prevent the infection of mucous membranes. Where completely controlled experiments have been made with large numbers of persons, colds have occurred among the inoculated in as large proportion as among the uninoculated. During the war, some evidence was obtained which indicated that preventive inoculation of troops with a vaccine containing large numbers of pneumococci reduced the incidence and mortality of pneumonia. In the case of superficial infection of the nasal and pharyngeal mucous membranes with diverse etiology, less can be expected, and practical results indicate that this skepticism based on theoretical considerations is well founded.—(Query in The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 13, 1920.)
[See Closing Paragraph to Preface, Page IV.]
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