TETANUS ANTI-TOXIN. 1 0<) 



is eight days or less, injections of from 15,000 to 20,000 units are 

 made every two to eight hours until there is abatement of the 

 symptoms. These cases usually terminate fatally, even when 

 tetanus anti-toxin is given. The cases where the incubation period 

 is longer are more frequently recovered from. In all cases early 

 injections in large doses are indicated when the symptoms have 

 appeared, and radical methods of injection are justifiable, because 

 most cases without anti -toxin terminate fatally. As a result of 

 tetanus anti-toxin, the death rate in animals as determined by 

 Behring has been found to be reduced from 88 per cent to 40 or 

 45 per cent. The curative value of tetanus anti -toxin in man 

 cannot be well demonstrated by statistics. While the results are 

 not nearly as favorable as those obtained by treating diphtheria 

 with diphtheria anti-toxin, still tetanus anti-toxin ought to be 

 used in all cases of tetanus. 



Relatively recently a dried tetanus anti-toxin has been made. 

 This powder is used principally as a dressing for wounds which 

 are likely to be injected, but it may also be used for injection 

 after dissolving in salt solution. For the latter use it has the ob- 

 jection that it dissolves with difficulty. While relatively little 

 is known concerning it, it has advantages similar to those of dried 

 diphtheria anti-toxin and may prove of considerable value to the 

 medical profession. 



As a result of the decreased number of cases of tetanus fol- 

 lowing Fourth of July wounds, when immunizing doses of tetanus 

 anti-toxin are given, the physician should in all cases of such injury 

 administer to the patient an immunizing dose of tetanus anti- 

 toxin. Moreover all wounds in which tetanus infection might 

 occur, should be thoroughly cleansed and the patient immunized 

 with tetanus anti-toxin. When symptoms of tetanus have de- 

 veloped the patient ought to have every advantage of any bene- 

 fits that may be derived from the use of large and repeated in- 

 jections of tetanus anti -toxin. 



ANTI-BACTERIAL SERA. 



Sera containing substances which result in the death and 

 destruction of bacteria are called anti -bacterial sera. Acquired 

 anti -bacterial immunity depends on destruction of bacteria be- 



