330 BACTERIOLOGY. 



the strength of the antidotal element is merely 

 weakened. 



We may now ask what are these " specific " 

 anti-substances found in the blood after the 

 establishment of a " specific " habituation to 

 certain poisons ? They are, so far as we can 

 judge, different from the real bacterial poisons, 

 from the alexins or defensive proteids of the 

 blood and from the ferments, since in contrast 

 to the toxins they are able in general to with- 

 stand higher temperatures, and greater ex- 

 posure to insolation and putrefaction without 

 becoming impotent. Even if they possess the 

 same degree of resistance or are less resistant 

 (as is anti-abrin compared with abrin), they 

 differ in other respects. So long as the 

 " specific" protective inoculations are alone 

 considered, the participation of the bacteria 

 must be regarded as the sole or essential de- 

 termining factor in the production of these 

 substances. 



Two interesting observations upon man also 

 favor the view that bacteria take part in the 

 formation of the anti-substances. Buschke, 

 after he had infected himself with material sus- 

 pected of harboring tetanus virus, used a 

 prophylactic injection of tetanus serum and 

 observed that tetanus-like symptoms ensued. 

 Bearing in mind the great susceptibility of man 



