260 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



accurate methods of study, including possibly zoology and 

 botany. When one thinks of the immense amount of work 

 done in attempting to isolate the cause of influenza, much 

 of it of the crudest nature, it is no wonder that the re- 

 sults were negative. The ability to run around with a cot- 

 ton swab in either hand is not sufficient training to culti- 

 vate such delicate organisms as the filterable viruses. Not 

 till the causative agents of these diseases are demonstrated 

 can we go very far in either prophylaxis or treatment. It 

 is a satisfaction to know that already for several diseases, 

 especially smallpox and rabies, we have an absolute pre- 

 ventative in vaccine; and in at least two diseases, polyo- 

 myelitis and hog cholera, a curative serum has oeen pro- 

 duced. The outlook for future work in this line is bright. 



DISCUSSION OF DR. HULL'S PAPER 



Is there any similarity of mosaic disease of cucumbers 

 and tomatoes in these filterable virus forms ? Better stain- 

 ing methods by use of mordants and testing out on the I'me 

 of chemical agents and media were suggested. Mention 

 was made of the work of Prof. Ernst Bessey of Michigan 

 Agricultural College and his colleagues in mosaic disease. 



Dr. Latham agreed with Dr. Hull in his plea for 

 co-ordinating the several sciences relating to bacteri- 

 ology in order to more readily enhance the correctness and 

 extensiveness on the results along the lines that deal with 

 virus. Dr. Pollock felt that such co-ordination and co- 

 operation would result in great practical good so far as 

 junior sanitary leagues etc. in connection with schools and 

 school teaching is concerned. 



