544 BIOLOGY OF PNEUMOCOCCUS 



introducing new methods of preparation it was of importance to 

 be certain that during the process of concentration the serum 

 would lose no activity that might be effective in treating the dis- 

 ease. Wadsworth also maintained that the existing methods of 

 standardization were inadequate, although it was acknowledged 

 that the potency of concentrated serum approximated that of the 

 unconcentrated product. It is difficult to concede the cogency of 

 an argument in favor of unconcentrated serums based on difficul- 

 ties in estimating the content of antipneumococcic protective anti- 

 body, since the methods for determining potency are alike for both 

 whole and refined products. 



Park, 1053 in the Harben Lectures, discussed the entire question 

 and stressed some important points which may be included here. 

 Park stated that in cases of pneumonia it is desirable to avoid un- 

 necessary administration of serum, but when the use of serum is 

 indicated, its disadvantages should be borne in mind. Large intra- 

 venous doses of unrefined serum have frequently resulted in attacks 

 of serum sickness, and the technique of administration presents 

 difficulties in the hands of those inexperienced with the method. 

 By concentration methods, serum of lower potency can be utilized 

 and a satisfactory product obtained, thus resulting in reduced 

 cost. Five cubic centimeters of concentrate containing two thou- 

 sand protective units per cubic centimeter should equal the pro- 

 tective value of one hundred cubic centimeters of serum containing 

 one hundred protective units per cubic centimeter. The dose of the 

 former, containing less foreign protein, being smaller in quantity, 

 and easier to administer, would be superior to whole serum. Park 

 concluded, therefore, that the refining of antipneumococcic serum 

 provides a preparation preferable to whole serum. The Thera- 

 peutic Trials Committee of the Medical Research Council in Eng- 

 land, 887 in a report on the serum treatment of lobar pneumonia, 

 stated that delayed reactions were rare and slight with concen- 

 trated serum, whereas with unconcentrated serum of high titer the 

 treatment more frequently caused rashes, swollen joints, and 



