BACTERIAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS 



635. ANTITOXIC SERUMS 



In recent years there has grown up almost a new system of thera- 

 peutics, known as "serum therapy." This system is based upon the 

 theory that the various infectious diseases are in most instances caused 

 by the poisonous toxins produced by the microorganisms. As an ex- 

 ample of the diseases thus produced, diphtheria is perhaps the most striking, 

 because it is the most common, and the success in its treatment by this 

 system has been universally acknowledged as phenomenal. In addition 

 to diphtheria, we have tetanus, septicemia, glanders, cholera, etc. These 

 diseases are now treated by hypodermic injection of the well-known 

 animal serums containing different percentages of antitoxins. These 

 antitoxic serums are practically produced in the animal the goat, cow, 

 or horse, for instance. The animal is gradually rendered immune to the 

 specific microorganisms by the injection of either attenuated cultures 

 rendered comparatively harmless by various methods. 



After the animal has been rendered immune by this treatment, blood 

 is withdrawn from it with the strictest aseptic precautions; it is then 

 allowed to stand until the blood serum separates as a distinct layer. 

 This blood serum, when separated and hermetically sealed in glass bulbs, 

 etc. (containing 5 mils and upward), constitutes the remedial agent. 

 It is needless to state that from the beginning until the very end of the 

 process the greatest aseptic precautions are observed. The liquid before 

 being placed in its containers is impregnated with minute quantities of 

 such preservative material as tricresol, carbolic acid, etc. As these 

 serums are tested only in the physiological laboratory, the pharmacist 

 must of necessity hold the manufacturer responsible for the value of his 

 product. 



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