236 PA THOGENIC BACTERIA . 



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

 ment. The subject is pregnant with interest and deserves 

 attention. 



Hirshfelder l claims to have cured a large number of 

 cases of tuberculosis by the use of a preparation known 

 as oxyttiberculin. 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 2 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 

 by gradually increased doses of sterilized, attenuated, and 

 virulent cultures of the bacillus of avian tuberculosis. 

 Curative results were observed in fowls thus treated, and 

 in mammals similarly treated, and the inference drawn 

 is that men treated in the same manner can be similarly 

 benefited. The dose recommended is 2 c.cm. 



The theory depends upon the supposed identity or near 

 relationship of the bacilli of avian and mammalian tu- 

 berculosis. 



Klebs has claimed much advantage from the treatment 

 of tuberculosis by antiphthisin. According to the ex- 



1 Dfuistlu: ntfii. Wocluuxhrift, 1897, No. 19, and Jour, of the Anier. Med. 

 Assoc., 1897. 



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



