Élie Metchnikoff Autograph

Exceptional autograph letter signed, one page, 5,5 x 4 inch, undated [probably Paris, autumn 1903], in French, to French physician and writer Maurice de Fleury (1860-1931) - discussing Emil von Behring's plan, presented at the Congress of Cassel, to combat human tuberculosis by administering specially prepared tubercle bacilli to infants or feeding them milk from cows hyperimmunized against the tubercle bacillus, while emphasizing that nothing had yet been established for either treatment or vaccination, written and signed by Élie Metchnikoff in dark ink "El. Metchnikoff", attractively mounted for display with a photograph, shows Metchnikoff as scientist (altogether 8,25 x 11,75 inch), with mild signs of age wear - in fine to very fine condition.

"Mon cher ami,
   L'interview du `Matin` est très exact. Dans la communication de Behring au Congrès de Cassel il s'agit d'un plan de campagne contre la tuberculose de l'homme. La base de ce plan est la supposition que l'épithélium intestinal des nourrissons se laisse facilement traverser par les microbes et les substances albuminoïdes non digérées. B. espère produire l'immunité soit en donnant à ingérer à des nourrissons des bacilles tuberculeux convenablement préparés, soit en les nourrissant avec du lait des vaches hyperimmunisées contre le bacille tuberculeux. Tout cela est encore en projet, de sorte qu'il n'y a rien d'acquis non seulement pour le traitement de la tuberculose déclarée, mais même pour la vaccination.
   Bien à vous,
      El. Metchnikoff"

Translated:
"My dear friend,
   The interview in Le Matin is very accurate. Behring's communication at the Congress of Cassel concerns a campaign plan against human tuberculosis. The basis of this plan is the assumption that the intestinal epithelium of infants is easily penetrated by microbes and undigested albuminoid substances. Behring hopes to produce immunity either by giving infants suitably prepared tubercle bacilli to ingest, or by feeding them milk from cows hyperimmunized against the tubercle bacillus. All this is still at the planning stage, so nothing has yet been established, not only for the treatment of manifest tuberculosis, but even for vaccination.
   Yours sincerely,
      El. Metchnikoff"