B. Coli-Combined-Bacterin, said to contain killed Strepto­coccus viridans, Strepto­coccus hemo­lyticus and Bacillus coli.

Pertussis-Combined-Bacterin, said to contain killed Bacillus pertussis, Pneumo­cocci, Strepto­cocci, Staphylo­coccus albus, Staphylo­coccus aureus and Micro­coccus catarrhalis.

Strepto­coccus-Rheumaticus-Combined-Bacterin, said to contain killed “Strepto­cocci (Rheumaticus, Viridans, etc.)” and Pneumo­cocci.

Strepto­coccus-Viridans-Combined-Bacterin, said to contain killed Strepto­coccus viridans, Strepto­coccus hemo­lyticus, Pneumo­coccus and Staphylo­coccus albus.

The Abbott Laboratories were asked to assist in the investigation of these products and to submit evidence to establish their eligibility for admission to New and Non­official Remedies. The manufacturer was informed that the Council accepts “mixed” vaccines or bacterins, provided the usefulness of these products is established by acceptable clinical evidence, and references to the literature bearing on the value of the preparations were requested.

The Abbott Laboratories submitted specimens of the products, the advertising matter therefor and a considerable list of references to current literature; all of which was transmitted to the Committee on Serums and Vaccines for consideration. In due time a referee of the committee submitted the following report:

THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT

The referee has studied the literature covered by the references submitted. In general the articles are favorable to the use of vaccines, though many of these papers do not consider “mixed” vaccines; indeed, a number of the articles do not discuss treatment at all, but are devoted entirely to the consideration of etiology of the disease. Many of the papers are by those who are obviously overenthusiastic on the subject of the use of biologic preparations. One paper—not included in the references submitted by the Abbott Laboratories—records an alarming reaction following a dose of mixed vaccine; no claim is made that improvement followed.

The following comments on the submitted references are offered:

M. Catarrhalis-Combined-Bacterin.—Only four of the nine references given deal with the therapeutic use of the vaccine. The reported results in general were favorable, but sometimes in the discussion evoked by certain of the papers, views the reverse of those expressed by the author were brought forward. The enthusiasm of one writer is shown in his statement that following the use of vaccine in cases of carbuncle complicating diabetes the sugar in the urine disappeared or was reduced. One observer, who reports excellent results in nasal pharyngeal catarrh, speaks of certain vaccines as “bulk goods,” while another considers “——’s No. 7” as the proper thing. It is evident that the reports are not based on careful, scientific data, or such unscientific definition of the product employed would not be used.