VACCINATION AGAINST ANTHRAX 83 



of the latter and 60 percent and 80 percent of a unit of the former. 

 Two or three injections are given, the first or the first and second 

 of the former strength, the last having the higher value of toxin. 

 A local reaction occurs and not infrequently a general one 

 fever, malaise. Immunity requires a week to start and about a 

 month to be fully developed. It is believed to last at least 

 four years. Immunization need only be given to those who have 

 a positive Schick test. 



Vaccination Against Plague 



Haffkine, in India, has vaccinated natives and others against 

 plague by somewhat the same methods employed in anti-cholera 

 vaccination. The B. pestis is cultivated in flasks of bouillon; as 

 it grows, the stalactite-like scum on top is shaken from time to 

 time to the bottom of the flask. After growing for six weeks in 

 the bouillon, the culture is killed at 7oC. for three hours. It is 

 then used as vaccine, 3 c.c. is the usual dose for man, 2 c.c. for 

 woman, and children still less. After the inoculation, heat and 

 redness appear at the site of inoculation, and the patient feels ill 

 and has some fever. Haffkine holds that immunity against the 

 plague is complete in twenty-four hours after vaccination. His 

 results are at times really very good. 



The Indian Plague Commission reported that the measure was 

 valuable as a means of preventing infection; while it was not an 

 absolutely certain 'means, yet it sensibly diminished the death 

 rate. The immunity lasts about a month. Such vaccines are 

 not to be used after attack has started. 



Vaccination Against Anthrax 



Of all forms of vaccination against disease with attenuated 

 bacteria this is the most successful. Its use is confined to domes- 

 tic animals, sheep, cattle, and horses, and has reduced the 

 mortality in the country where it is used from 10 percent to .5 



