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It was known that the liquid glycerinated buffalo-calf lymph issued for routine use in smallpox vaccination in Madras gave a high take rate in primary vaccination but that successful takes on revaccination amounted to less than 10 %. In the course of studies on smallpox carried out in Madras, it was therefore decided to compare a potent freeze-dried English vaccine with the current Madras lymph by revaccinations carried out on persons admitted to the Madras Infectious Diseases Hospital for ailments other than smallpox. The take rate of the freeze-dried preparation in these tests was 63 % as against 27 % for the liquid preparation. It would seem that, in the conditions prevailing in Madras at the time of the tests, the local lymph is not sufficiently potent for successful revaccination or for maintaining the immunity of the population at a satisfactory level. The authors suggest that freeze-dried vaccine produced in embryonated eggs might be more effective and economical.Although the position in regard to primary vaccination against smallpox seems to be satisfactory in Madras, as indicated by the success rate of primary vaccination in young children, the position of successful revaccination is much less satisfactory. According to the reports of vaccinators the success rate on revaccination is less than 10 %. This result is achieved with liquid glycerinated buffalo-calf lymph which must be used within seven * This is one of a series of studies out in March-April 1960 in Madras, India, with the purpose of shedding new light on a number of still unsolved problems in the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of smallpox. days of issue. In view of these findings it was decided to compare a sample of freeze-dried vaccine prepared in England with the local vaccine prepared in Madras. The following observations are based on comparative studies made with these two "lymphs ".The dried preparation was made up with the diluting fluid supplied with the dried lymph immediately before use. The local Indian lymph was kept in a refrigerator from the time of issue until its use on the same subjects as were vaccinated with the reconstituted dried English preparation. 69- METHODS

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