Influenza : $b An epidemiologic studyVaughan, Warren T. (Warren Taylor)
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Influenza : $b An epidemiologic study
Vaughan, Warren T. (Warren Taylor)
Influenza
If influenza is scattered throughout the earth in mild form, it would
avail us but little to send a commission to Bokhara to study the endemic
focus supposed by some to exist in Turkestan. Even though the disease
were endemic in that country, one would not expect to discover epidemics
there. The general immunity of the population in the endemic area is
probably increased. Nevertheless one unit might well be stationed in
Turkestan, there to study the existing conditions regarding infectious
diseases.
There would be ample work for all groups at all times. The study would
not be limited to a consideration of infectious diseases. Sociologic
conditions may be of importance. We have recorded instances of this.
Wherever there is an unusual concentration of large masses of
individuals the investigators should study the results of such
concentration.
An advantage of this organization would be that the groups through their
central bureau would establish an information bureau of infectious
disease prevalence analogous to the popular weather bureau of today.
They would report the presence of a cloud before it had appeared on the
local horizon.
In the absence of any epidemics resembling influenza, there would be
abundant opportunity for correlated work. We have mentioned the
epidemiologic resemblances between influenza and certain other
infectious diseases. Comparative study of any or all of them is of
importance. The bacteriologist and the immunologist would find plenty of
material in the study of measles prevalences. The two diseases are so
similar in their manner of spread, in the probable mode of transmission,
in their clinical characteristics and in the results of laboratory
attempts at transmission, that one must assume that the causative
viruses are not dissimilar. Any new facts that we may gain concerning
measles will be of value in the study of influenza.
Many years could be well devoted merely to a study of immunity in
influenza.
The results obtained by this proposed organization for the investigation
of influenza would be slow in achievement. The study is not of a type
calculated to appeal to the popular imagination. Communities in which
the dread of an imminent pestilence is not present would subscribe with
some hesitation to appeals for pecuniary assistance. Fortunately,
however, there are in existence several organizations already well
developed along these lines, organizations chiefly interested in certain
other diseases. There can be no doubt but that at the present time the
financing of such a broad project could be arranged, and that the groups
could be efficiently organized on the basis of experience already gained
in similar projects.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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