Antiviral therapy
A recent development which seems to hold great hope is the discovery of the cell-product which has been named interferon, made at the National Institute for Medical Research by Dr Alick Isaacs and his co-workers. Interferon may be of great value in preventing the multiplication of viruses. It is prepared by treating influenza virus with ultraviolet rays so that it is not killed but its vitality is impaired. It is then mixed with animal cells and the interferon produced prevents the reproduction of the fresh live virus. Moreover, when fresh, live, normally infective virus is mixed with cells…
