CHAPTER XV 

 PRODUCTION OF ANTIPNEUMOCOCCIC SERUM 



Procedures employed in the routine manufacture of therapeutic 

 serum, including immunization of horses, methods of concentra- 

 tion and purification of specific immune serum; processing, stand- 

 ardization, and control of the products; and the preparation of 

 serum for diagnostic purposes. 



The early demonstration that serum from immunized rabbits 

 and other small experimental animals exerts protective and 

 curative effects in similar animals infected with pneumococci sup- 

 plied ample warrant for extending studies to include larger do- 

 mestic animals in the hope of providing serum for use in the treat- 

 ment of pneumococcal infection in man. Interest in this phase of 

 study first developed by 1897, for in that year there appeared 

 publications by Denys, 312 Pane, 1044 Mennes, 893 and Washbourn 1487 

 describing the results attending the immunization of goats, asses, 

 cows, and horses. Occasional reports on the use of other animals 

 have been made, but where large amounts are required horses are 

 at the present time the commonly accepted source of antipneumo- 

 coccic serum. 



Immunization of the Horse 



SELECTION OF HORSES 



Little is known as to the precise type or breed of horse most 

 suitable for the production of antipneumococcic serum. Avery, 

 Chickering, Cole, and Dochez 36 preferred sound, fairly heavy 

 horses, and the same opinion is shared by some laboratories today. 

 At the Massachusetts Antitoxin and Vaccine Laboratory experi- 

 ence has shown that the breed, weight, and sex of horses are less 

 important factors than the variations in the immune response of 



