A discussion on new aspects of virus disease 17 March 1938

The last few years have seen a rapid extension of our knowledge of plant virus disease. The field of observation has been extended by the everincreasing range of plant diseases both of the garden and the glasshouse brought within the purview of the virus worker. It is, however, the fundamental issues of the subject which have been attacked from several angles, to which attention will be directed this afternoon. The new knowledge of the nature of the virus particle, to which Stanley, Bawden, Pirie and Bernal have contributed, has a bearing which, transcending the culture of potato and tobacco, reacts on all biological research and philosophy. We hope to-day to hear those who speak with authority on the purification and isolation of the virus particle and its chemical and physical structure. Dr Kenneth Smith will tell us of the particle size, and its measurement.