UNIVERSITY FIGHTS MALADY

A commission consisting of Dr. Robert W. Lovett '81, chairman, professor of orthopedic surgery; Dr. Milton J. Rosenau, professor of preventative medicine and hygiene; Dr. Francis W. Peabody '83, assistant professor of medicine, and Roger Pierce '04, secretary, has been appointed by the Medical School for the purpose of assisting in the early recognition, treatment and study of infantile paralysis.

The Boston Advertiser gives the following account of the work the School is doing in this field:

"The Commission has undertaken this work in the endeavor to meet the increasing demands from physicians for assistance in making an early diagnosis and for serum to be used in the treatment of the earliest stages of the diseases. It is not at present definitely established that use of serum is of benefit in the treatment of the disease, however, the results thus far obtained justify its ditribution to physicians for use in cases where they deem it advisable.

"The serum is obtained from the blood of persons who have recovered from the disease. The Commission therefore suggests that such persons may render a service to children now afflicted by allowing a small amount of their blood to be taken. The proceeding is without danger. All persons who are willing to aid in this way may call at any time at the Harvard Medical School Administration Building, Huntington avenue, and make inquiry for the Harvard Infantile Paralysis Commission. If this is not convenient, an expert will visit the home for the purpose of collecting the blood serum.

"Physicians, by telephoning to the Medical School, may obtain an expert in any hour of the day or night, who will visit a patient with the doctor to assist in the diagnosis of the case, and to administer serum if desired. The amount of serum available will depend upon the response of recovered patients to this appeal for volunteers. As the response cannot now be accurately estimated, the efforts of the Commission will at the beginning be confined to cases in or near Boston. Should it be found possible to extend the service, every attempt will be made to do so. The serum and all services rendered by the Commission will be free of charge."