Biological Therapy 



115 



Lastly, each formula is arranged in accordance with the 

 bacteriological findings from field cases in all parts of the 

 country. This eliminates the inclusion of bacteria having 

 no etiological significance and increases the percentage of 

 fully antigenic bacteria having etiological significance. The 

 count is arranged according to present biological knowledge 

 and is not made excessive for selling purposes. A proper 

 bacterial count is necessary but a bacterin containing an 

 excessive number of bacteria having no etiological significance does not 

 carry the immunizing advantages of one prepared in accordance with the 

 above standards and containing a moderate number of fully antigenic, 

 specific organisms. 



BACTERINS FOR PROPHYLAXIS. The first requisite 

 in immunizing against disease with bacterins is that the 

 product contain the organisms known to cause the disease 

 against which we wish to protect. To accomplish this the 

 true etiological factor must be known to the clinician and 

 the bacterin must contain these specific organisms; it must 

 not be a "shot gun" formula containing many kinds of bac- 

 teria which are devoid of significance. Next in importance 

 is the dosage, which is usually two c.c. except in the case 

 of very small animals and birds in which case one c.c. is 

 ordinarily used. 



Lack of results is at times attributable to the use of but 

 one injection. It has been conclusively proven by numerous 

 investigators that maximum antibody production follows 

 only after three injections have been administered. Occa- 

 sionally results, apparently satisfactory, follow one injec- 

 tion but this cannot be depended upon and three injections 

 at intervals of three to seven days should be the rule. 



BACTERINS FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES. At 

 one time it was believed, and this belief is still retained by 

 some, that bacterins should be used therapeutically, only in 

 chronic infections, and that they are contra-indicated in 

 acute systemic infections. This belief was entirely theoret- 

 ical and is not concurred in by the many practitioners who 

 regularly and successfully use these products in the treat- 

 ment of acute infections. 



Wright, to whom belongs the credit for originating bac- 

 terin therapy, has recently championed the use of bacterins 

 in acute septicemias, whereas, he formerly opposed this prac- 

 tice. The change of opinion by this illustrious investigator 



