946 HUMAN SERUM FROM CONVALESCENT CASES 



patients received two injections of 6 oz. each; another three injections, each 8 oz., at 

 intervals of four or five days. As was to be expected, no striking critical drop but a 

 distinct lowering of the temperature curve was noted, associated with an improve- 

 ment in the septic complications and the general condition of the patient. The good 

 results in some of these cases are the best proof of the beneficial effect that can be 

 derived from this treatment. 



While it is difficult to make any absolute statement or arrive at definite deductions 

 from such a small series of cases, one can only hope that, by continuing this form of 

 treatment, a larger series of cases may finally be collected that will serve as a more 

 definite guide for the value of the intramuscular injections of convalescent and normal 

 blood. The treatment is easily carried out, is quite harmless, and is within the reach 

 of the general practitioner. The beneficial efi'ects noted in the foregoing group of very 

 severe cases were quite distinct. The rational element in the use of fresh normal blood 

 in the septic cases is found, first of all, in clinical observations of its great empiric 

 value; but also to a large extent in a consideration of the great nutritive value of 

 homologous blood, its marked stimulating properties, and its well-known antibody 

 content, which exerts a distinct bactericidal effect on many pathogenic organisms. 

 Even more valuable would be the transfer of the whole blood by transfusion. In this 

 case, one would make available the donor's blood cells as well as his serum with its 

 antibodies. 



Convalescent blood or serum has not been used extensively to immunize against 

 scarlet fever. It has the disadvantage that it is far less potent than the horse anti- 

 toxin. It has the advantage that it will not produce serum sickness and will not 

 sensitize to horse serum. If the serum is on hand it should have been tested for 

 potency and icc. should neutralize at least fifty skin-test doses of toxin. 



