BOTULISM TOXIN 89 



c.cm. of an emulsion of central nervous tissue neutralizes three times the 

 fatal dose for mice. Lecithin, cholesterin, as well as fatty substances 

 like butter and oil, act in a similar manner. 



Monkeys, rabbits, guinea-pigs, mice and cats are susceptible to the toxin. 



Cats usually exhibit the most characteristic clinical picture. Localized and almost 

 pathognomonic paralyses occur in the form of prolapse of tongue, marked mydriasis, 

 aphonia, aphagia, etc. 



In mice, paralysis of the hind extremities sets in after quite a small dose; and death 

 follows in a few hours. 



In rabbits and guinea-pigs, moderate doses (0.0003-0.001 c.cm.) occasion no mani- 

 festations during the first two to three days, but subsequently, the above-mentioned 

 paralyses arise and in several hours the animals expire. With larger doses (o.i to 

 0.5 c.cm.) the incubation period lasts only a couple of hours and then dyspneic attacks 

 usually succeeded by motor paralysis and death are the consequences. 



The strength of the botulism toxin is ascertained by injecting guinea-pigs subcu- 

 taneously and observing the time when loss in weight, flabbiness of abdominal muscles 

 and death occur. 



The following chart by Madsen exhibits the above principle. (+ means "death.") 



Kempner immunized goats against botulism toxin and proved the presence of anti- 

 toxins within their sera. Immunization of rabbits and guinea-pigs is only feasible if 

 primary inoculations are made with a toxin previously attenuated by heat for one- 

 half hour at 60 C. 



Recently Wassermann has immunized horses against this toxin. In 

 mew of the high mortality and lack of any other specific medication, the use of 

 this serum is strongly advised. In animal experimentation it shows itself 

 of undeniable value. As for its effects in man, it has not been employed 

 frequently enough to judge. 



The botulism toxin and antitoxin unite only very slowly. Otto and Sachs have 

 shown that the inoculation of rabbits with a three hours old mixture of toxin and anti- 

 toxin occasioned greater toxic effects when administered intravenously than when given 

 subcutaneously. Only in mixtures twenty-four hours old was this difference overcome. 



