They found the distemper virus, but their initial hypothesis proved wrong: the distemper virus turned out not to be related to whatever was causing influenza. Then again, since ferrets were so susceptible to distemper, Smith, Andrewes, and Laidlaw reasoned that it was worth a try to see if ferrets could also get the flu. The British scientists began modestly, inoculating two ferrets with the filtrate from human influenza patients. Within two days, both of the animals became ill, developing fevers and runny noses and all the outward symptoms of human influenza. It was a promising start, and
...more
