VIRUSES 62 



TABLE VI 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEASLES IN EXPOSED SUBJECTS 



Response 5l4 Patients Treated 65 Patients 

 with gamma-globulin Not Treated 



Regular Measles Q$( 48^ 



Moderate Measles 2% 18J6 



Mild Measles 19^ 17/4 



Complete Absence 73% 17/5 



Many medical authorities feel that it is desirable to use only small amounts of 

 this gamma- globulin in patients exposed to measles. It is reasoned that the 

 small amounts will allow the individual to develop measles, but will protect him 

 against any serious manifestation and consequences. An immunity will therefore 

 be generated which, it is hoped, will prove as lasting as that acquired in a 

 normal infection. 



Several virus diseases which have been overcome by the application of the 

 scientific method have been discussed. Anyone who has any connection with re- 

 search in the medical sciences rejoices in the conquest of any disease. It should 

 be emphasized however that in every case discussed, excepting the case of small- 

 pox, the conquest of the disease was the by-product of fundamental academic re- 

 search directed primarily toward the characterization of virus as an entity. The 

 case of influenza can serve as an example. The developing of an influenza vac- 

 cine was the by-product of physical, chemical and biological studies aimed at 

 the characterization of this virus. These studies were made possible by the fun- 

 damental investigation on tobacco mosaic virus which followed the crystallization 

 of that virus by Stanley in 1935* This crystallization could be achieve, however, 

 only as a result of the experience amassed in the crystallization of other bio- 

 logical proteins such as enzymes. Yet who could ever have dreamed that the 

 crystallization of urease and of pepsin would open the way for the conquest of 

 Influenza? The crystallization of enzymes can be classified as useless academic 

 research. That being the case, it seems fitting to conclude the Priestly Lecture 

 Series for 194-6 with the expression of the hope that I have been able to communi- 

 cate some of my enthusiasm for useless academic research. 



