"Wolf! Wolf!"?

In Paris, Professor Albert Calmette, Assistant Director of the Pasteur Institute, "a man of eminence and discretion," stepped to the lectern of the Academy of Medicine. Before him sat distinguished savants, among them Mme. Curie and Prof. Pierre Roux. From his quiet, austere laboratory Calmette had brought with him papers that were the fruit of 20 years' patient inconspicuous labor. Calmette read, finished, the chamber vibrated with vociferous applause.

What he had said, modestly, was that ihe had been successful in "an attempt to protect nurslings from the infection of tuberculosis."

The Substance. A vaccine, labelled "BCG," obtained from special culture of the Koch bacilli, weakened subsequently by the grafting of 230 successive cultures on bovine bile. To be injected or administered through the mouth.

Results. Cows and monkeys inoculated with "BCG" remained uninfected for 18 months, 1) when left for weeks in contact with other animals strongly infected with tuberculosis, 2) when given intravenal application of virulent bacilli capable of killing an ox in two months.

Not one of 217 infants, born of tubercular parents 18 months ago, given three doses of "BCG" at 48-hour intervals beginning within 24 hours of birth, left with their mothers to run the risk of infection, had yet shown the slightest sign of infection.

Claims. Dr. Calmette did not claim curative powers for his vaccine where tuberculosis is already present in an organism. But convinced that the disease is not hereditary, he offered protection to healthy persons through annual vaccination. Reports of his human experiments spoke only of "nurslings," but it was inferred that healthy adults will also be his beneficiaries. He pointed out that years must pass before it could be affirmed that tuberculosis is "conquered."

Comment. New York Herald-Tribune : "Claims for a specific nostrum . . . appear with such frequency . . . that France fears it to be another case of crying 'Wolf! Wolf!"'

Dr. William H. Park, head of Research, Vaccine, and Chemical Laboratories, New York City Health Department : "Tuberculosis vaccine has long been used on animals. In America it was used by the Department of Agriculture of Pennsylvania . . . Until we see a protocol on the subject we are not in a position to judge whether it will be a practical solution in immunizing the human race."

Dr. H. A. Patterson, Supervisor of the Medical Service of the National Tubercular Association: "Calmette's position in the scientific world is such that any announcement on his part is worth the utmost respect."