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An Epidemic for Sale: Observation, Modification, and Commercial Circulation of the Danysz Virus, 1890-1910
1University of Edinburgh.
Abstract:
This essay tells the story of the "Danysz virus," a bacterial culture that was designed and deployed to cause epidemics among rodents and was sold globally by the Institut Pasteur from 1900. Jean Danysz (1860-1928) initially identified the culture during his studies of epidemics in population cycles of common voles. His experiments turned to the ambitious goal of increasing the bacteria's virulence by emulating the rodent's animal economy in the laboratory in order to mass-produce a culture. The bacterial culture was supposed to bring about a man-made epidemic for sale on the global pest- and plague-control market. The essay considers the Danysz virus as a "cognitive good" and analyzes the material as well as intellectual transfers that shaped its development, supported its international application, and prompted the experimental testing of its promises. While the culture largely failed to bring about the exponential growth of lethal infections in rat populations Danysz promised, the virus did succeed in distributing his theoretical revision of virulence. Through its commercial distribution, his product recast virulence as a function of the relation between bacteria and their milieu and offered a novel concept of mutual pathogenicity that far exceeded deterministic models of infection prevalent at the time.
Insights
The Danysz virus, a bacterial culture intended for rodent epidemic control, was commercialized globally. While failing to cause mass rodent deaths as promised, it successfully introduced a new theory of bacterial virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- History of Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Danysz virus was a bacterial culture developed by Jean Danysz for rodent pest control.
- It was commercialized by Institut Pasteur starting in 1900.
- Danysz aimed to create mass rodent epidemics using this culture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the development and global distribution of the Danysz virus.
- To examine the concept of the Danysz virus as a "cognitive good."
- To evaluate the impact of the Danysz virus on the understanding of bacterial virulence.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of scientific development and commercialization.
- Examination of intellectual and material transfers related to the virus.
- Review of experimental testing and promised outcomes versus actual results.
Main Results:
- The Danysz virus largely failed to induce widespread lethal rodent infections as anticipated.
- The commercialization of the virus successfully disseminated Danysz's revised theory of virulence.
- Virulence was reconceptualized as a dynamic interaction between bacteria and their environment.
Conclusions:
- The Danysz virus's legacy lies more in its theoretical impact on understanding virulence than in its practical application for pest control.
- It challenged deterministic models of infection by proposing a concept of mutual pathogenicity.
- The study highlights the complex interplay between scientific innovation, commercial interests, and theoretical advancement.
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