Glanders and Tetanus. 133 



is made and is found in the blood of the animal. If 

 some of the blood can be carried to an animal that has 

 just begun to show symptoms of tetanus, the antitoxin 

 contained in it will neutralize the poison that is being 

 formed and thus tide over the time until the suffering 

 animal can make its own antitoxin. This transfer of 

 the protecting substance is done by drawing a quantity 

 of blood from the immunized animal, allowing it to clot 

 and collecting the serum which comprises the commercial 

 product. The antitoxin is used in the treatment of both 

 horses and man. In order to protect an animal against 

 the infection that may occur during an operation a small 

 dose is often given before the operation. In vaccination, 

 where a mild form of the specific disease is always pro- 

 duced, the protection lasts for some time. The protec- 

 tion afforded by antitoxin endures for only a short 

 time. 



A large proportion of the disease in human beings is 

 the result of wounds produced by Fourth of July ac- 

 cidents. The filling in many forms of fire works is 

 earth. This may contain tetanus bacilli which will be 

 blown into the skin by a premature explosion of a fire 

 cracker or other form of fire works. 



