244 PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION 



more than a mere statement of this fact. Noteworthy clinical results 

 have apparently not as yet been achieved. One should imagine 

 however, that in suitable cases their use would be logical, and in 

 staphylococcus infections in particular, where true toxins probably 

 play a role, a corresponding antiserum might prove of value. 



ANTIGONOCOCCUS SERUM 



Of late an antigonococcus serum also has been placed upon the 

 market, for which good results have been claimed. Toney's serum 

 is prepared by immunizing sheep with gradually increasing doses of 

 dead, and later, of living cultures of virulent strains, and is marketed 

 in 2 c.c. ampoules, which amount represents a single dose. Repeated 

 injections are made at intervals of one, two, three, or four days, 

 according to the requirements of the individual case. Its use is 

 advocated in chronic conditions produced by gonococcic infection, 

 as in those arising from a direct extension of the primary infection 

 into organs like the prostate, epididymis, testicles, bladder, and 

 Fallopian tubes, as also in cases of gonococcus arthritis, iritis, endo- 

 carditis, pleuritis, and meningitis. As yet not enough is known of 

 the effect of the injection upon the maladies in question to warrant 

 any definite statements. 



In the booklet on the subject which has been issued by the manu- 

 facturers the statement is made that within a year 10,000 doses of 

 the serum had been sent out for experimental purposes, and that of 

 the cases reported upon 58 per cent, showed decided benefit, and that 

 in 17 per cent, only, the results had not been favorable. Future 

 investigations here also are needed, to establish the actual status of 

 the treatment, which, a priori, of course, would seem logical, and 

 especially so when combined with corresponding vaccination. 



