VIRUS INFECTION OF THE CHICK EMBRYO

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Abstract
The author uses the chorio-allantois of developing eggs as a culture medium for virus; the cells of the chick embryo, he finds to be susceptible to infection by a much greater number of viruses than any other single host; on the other hand, these cells are rather resistant to infection by saprophytes and some common bacterial pathogens. Thus, there has been developed a satisfactory method of preparing (1) smallpox vaccine in quantity, (2) attenuated strains of yellow-fever virus, (3) equine encephalo-myelitis virus. Work is being done to produce less virulent viruses of human epidemic influenza. Authors have grafted thin skin to chorio-allantoic membrane and thus studied the viruses by indirection. The chick embryo cannot produce effective amounts of specific antibodies and therefore certain factors of immunity may be analyzed.