326 PATHOGENIC BACTERIA. 



merits of Fisch, 1 who immunized a horse with it, hoping 

 to produce an antitoxin that might be useful in treating 

 tuberculosis. His experiment seems to have met with 

 remarkable success, for the serum thus secured, which 

 he calls "Antiphthisic Serum, TR," is found to thor- 

 oughly immunize guinea-pigs to tuberculosis, to cure 

 tuberculous guinea-pigs in the early stages of the dis- 

 ease, and to neutralize the effects of tuberculin upon 

 tuberculous animals. 



Upon human beings it is too early to make a positive 

 report, but Fisch' s cases have shown remarkable improve- 

 ment. The subject is pregnant with interest and deserves 

 attention. 



Hirshfelder 2 claims to have cured a large number of 

 cases of tuberculosis by the use of a preparation known 

 as oxytuberculin. It consists of a 4 per cent, glycerin- 

 bouillon culture of very virulent tubercle bacilli, which 

 after being sterilized for one hour, and filtered, receives 

 the addition of 8-10 volumes of hydrogen peroxid, and is 

 then sterilized for ninety-six hours in a steam apparatus. 

 During the sterilization the fluid is kept in a glass vessel, 

 plugged with cotton wool. The peroxid of hydrogen is 

 renewed every twelve hours. 



From the fluid obtained in this way the excess of the 

 peroxid is removed by alkalinization. Before being em- 

 ployed in human medicine the remedy is tested upon 

 guinea-pigs. The dose may gradually be increased to 20 

 c.cm. The theory of action is based upon a claimed 

 destruction of the toxic property of the tuberculin by the 

 oxidation of the peroxid of hydrogen, which leaves a 

 harmless but potent immunizing substance in the fluid. 



Paterson 3 has suggested, for the production of immun- 

 ity to tuberculosis, the use of gradually increasing doses 

 of the serum of a fowl immunized to avian tuberculosis 



' x Jour, of the Amer. Med. Assoc, Oct. 30, 1897. 



J Deutsche med. Wochenschrift, 1897, No. 19, and Jour, of the Amer. Med. 

 Assoc, 1897. 



3 Amer. Medico-Surg. Bull., Jan. 25, 1898. 



