ACTION OF ANTITOXINS ON TOXINS. 279 



since its affinity for it is already partially satisfied. It is evidently 

 related to toxin as far as origin and composition are concerned, 

 but still is a new substance and therefore gives rise to different 

 symptoms than a small amount of diluted toxin. Since it contains 

 the toxic radical its injection, of course, leads to formation of anti- 

 toxin. For Dryer and Madsen have shown that antitoxin can be 

 produced by injections of the substance they call toxon.* 



We may add further, since we consider the existence of toxons 

 as distinct substances as improbable, that we do not wish in any 

 way to cast doubt on Ehrlich's results as to the spontaneous weak- 

 ening of toxins by conservation and the corresponding formation of 

 toxoids from them. We regard the effect of antitoxins simply as 

 one factor in the attenuating of toxins, but there may well be others, 

 such as oxygen and light, the exact effect of which is not well 

 determined, although their weakening action on toxin is well 

 defined. 



* Zeitschrift £. Hygiene., XXXVII, 1901. 



