Word: bcg
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Long-smoldering U.S. medical skepticism over the use of BCG* as a vaccine against tuberculosis burst into flame last week at a medical convention in Chicago. Declared Professor Jay Arthur Myers, TB authority at the University of Minnesota: not only are the claims of good results from BCG unfounded, but the whole idea of a vaccine against tuberculosis is based on a fallacy...
...deceptively mild, "I-hate-to-say-it-but" manner, Dr. Myers whacked away at the claims of BCG advocates. His main points...
...Those vaccinated with BCG give a positive reaction to tuberculin afterward; hence this test for the presence of tuberculosis is useless in their cases...
...Assurance. Last week, after a six-month study of the evidence, the 18-man Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association published a cautious verdict on BCG. The report conceded that the vaccine, properly administered, is harmless, and probably desirable among nurses, doctors, laboratory workers, members of families where tuberculosis is present. But, the report warned, "undue reliance must not be placed on the vaccine as a protective measure at the expense of established measures of control...
...There is no scientific support," the council concluded, "for the contention that BCG should be extended to all persons with the same assurance that can be recommended for smallpox vaccine or other immunizing agents. At present [its] general use . . . does not appear to be warranted and should not be encouraged...