534 INFECTION AND IMMUNITY. 



retain the original biologic properties of the cul- 

 tures. 



serum In animal experiments, some of these serums, 

 and particularly that of Aronson, have exhibited 

 strong protective powers. Aronson's serum in 

 doses of 0.0004 to 0.0005 c.c. protects a mouse 

 against ten fatal doses of the streptococcus given 

 twenty-four hours later than the serum. A serum 

 of which 0.01 c.c. protects against a dose known 

 to be fatal is considered of normal strength. The 

 present serum, then, is of twenty- to twenty-five- 

 fold value. In some instances animals can be 

 saved when the serum is used some hours after 

 infection, but this period is a brief one. 



Statements concerning the value of antistrepto- 

 coccus serums i n treating human infections are 

 very conflicting. The serum of Marmorek has 

 been given more general trial than any other, and 

 the results have not been satisfactory. Favorable 

 effects, such as the lowering of temperature and 

 improvement in the general condition, have been 

 reported, but the serum possesses no distinct cura- 

 tive power in established infections. Koch and 

 Petruschky deny that it has a prophylactic power 

 in experimental erysipelas. Escherich, by using 

 the serum of Moser, and Baginsky, by using that 

 scarlet of Aronson, observed a shortening of the course, 

 Fever. ^ reo Vuction of the fever and general improvement 

 in cases of scarlet fever. Moser claims that it re- 

 duces the mortality of the disease. The use of 

 antistreptococcus serum in the treatment of scarlet 

 fever does not commit one to the streptococcus 

 etiology of the disease, but rather to the impor- 

 tance of streptococcus complications ; hence, if the 

 danger of these complications can be reduced by 



