SPECIFIC THERAPY WITH BACTERIOPHAGE SUSPENSIONS 



571 



teriophage suspension was injected directly into the center of the bubo 

 without awaiting the result of the laboratory findings. 



The results of the bacteriological examination, subsequently reported, 

 were that the material from the bubo examined in direct smear revealed 

 cocco-bacilli with bipolar staining; that cultures gave organisms having 

 the characteristics of B. pestis, agglutinable by an anti-plague serum, 

 and that a guinea pig inoculated with some of the material died 78 

 hours after the injection, presenting the lesions of experimental plague. 



The injection of the bacteriophage did not cause any reaction. The 

 patient passed a good night. On the next morning his condition was 

 completely changed. Like his companion who had been inoculated at 



Chart 23. Nicholas Sw Bubonic Plague 



Treatment consisted in a single injection of Pestis-bacteriophage 



the same time, he declared that he felt well, but rather weak. His 

 temperature was 38.4°C., his pulse 82, but still irregular. The gland 

 was slightly increased in size, but was hardly painful at all, it requiring 

 a strong pressure to cause the patient to complain. 



Improvement was still more marked on the next day, but the pulse 

 had not regained its regularity. 



On the 16th, the patient, a vigorous man, demanded vehemently 

 that he be given a substantial meal. 



The curve showing the course of the temperature is here given 

 (chart 23). 



On the 16th some of the material from the bubo was aspirated, and, 

 as in the preceding case, the bloody fluid showed nothing upon direct 



