CONTACT OR AERIAL INFECTION MAY PLAY MINOR ROLE IN EPIDEMICS 50R3


RADIANT ENERGY AS CAUSE OF SEASONAL CHANGE IN STREPTOCOCCI;  50R3


   "NEUROTROPIC" (POLIOMYELITIS) VS. "PNEUMOTROPIC (INFLUENZA)


  The thesis that radiant energy causes seasonal changes in


indigenous streptococci which relate to disease epidemics was


tested in three long-lasting storage experiments, in which


"neurotropic" (from poliomyelitis) and "pneumotropic" (from


influenza) streptococci were stored in a mine 5000 feet under


limestone and compared with samples stored at ground level where


they would be exposed to solar radiation and also in a lead-lined


safe where they would not.  Dr. Rosenow found that the samples


exposed to radiation changed properties seasonally, as indicated by


measurements of cataphoretic velocity, but that samples shielded


from solar radiation did not change.


  "It is postulated that the seasonal changes which occurred at


ground level in these organisms and therefore presumably in persons


and in nature during respective epidemics were due to a physical


agent, radiant energy, which probably comes from the sun, capable


of passing through thin sheets of glass and metal but not thropugh


one inch of lead and hence not due to the highly penetrating cosmic


radiation. ...


  "If such influence be really operative in nature the seasonal


incidence of epidemics, especially epidemics such as influenza and


poliomyelitis that often occur almost simultaneously over vast and


isolated regions, becomes more inexplicable in that such epidemics


arise owing to seasonal changes in temperate climates in


streptococci indigenous in the subjects and in nature and that


aerial and contact infection may play a minor role.  Active and


passive immunization with respective harmless specific vaccines,


antigens, antiserums, or thermal antibody in advance of or abreast


with anticipated seasonal recurrent epidemics may prove necessary


in addition to the usual measures now directed for their control."


[50R3]