EVALUATION OF RED CROSS GAMMA GLOBULIN AS A PROPHYLACTIC AGENT FOR POLIOMYELITIS

Abstract

The principal purpose of the experiment described in this and subsequent papers of the series was to determine whether gamma globulin, as prepared for and furnished by the American National Red Cross for measles prophylaxis, would protect against the paralytic manifestations of poliomyelitis when administered in reasonable dosage before the onset of illness. A secondary purpose was to determine, if protection were afforded, the duration of protection in the dosage selected for the experiment. From this, based on half life studies of gamma globulin in the childhood age group, the dosage suitable for any period of protection desired could be calculated. Another secondary purpose was to determine whether gamma globulin would permit or interfere with inapparent or milder types of nonparalyzing clinical infection and the subsequent development of active immunity. This question had considerable significance, for if harmless infection and subsequent active immunity were prevented, gamma globulin would have a