Faraday to Antonio Lombardi   2 February 1847

Royal Institution | 2 February 1847

Dear Sir

According to the tenor of your letter of the 19th of last month¹ I have made enquiry of Dr Gregory who is the Physician to the Small and Cow pock Hospital and learn from him that what you require is exceedingly difficult to obtain and is not sought after in this country. The disease is epidemic and very rarely met with in cows and often when met with is not recognised or made known by the parties who observe it they not being medical men & having no interest in the matter. The lymph which is in use in London & in Great Britain is that which was taken from the Cow 12 years ago and though humanized for so long a period is all that our medical men require or desire². The enquiry which you make for the original puche de vaccine is I understand often made in England and about two years ago a person came from Naples to this Country whom Dr. Gregory sent to certain parties in the Country but with what success as regard procuring the virus he does not know.

I should have been most happy to have done any thing I could for the service of humanity or for you individually but I am not able to procure what you desire. I conclude you have the good ordinary lymph but Dr. Gregory bids me say that if you desire it a tube of that substance shall be prepared & sent off to you by post. To collect many tubes of it is impossible for the opportunity does not occur at once - and it cannot be kept for the purpose of increasing its quantity for after five days a change takes place in it & its effects are no longer sure or good[.]

I am | My dear Sir | Your Very devoted humble Servant | M. Faraday

Il Cavaliere | Antoine Lombardi | &c &c &c

Address: Il. Cavaliere | Antoine Lombardi | &c &c &c | Society of Sciences | Modena | Italy