Biological Therapy 



165 



mimization, is superimposed. Such cases should not be 

 considered as "hog-cholera breaks" since other animals in 

 the herd, treated at the same time, but which had no intes- 

 tinal or pulmonary infection, remain perfectly healthy. In 

 sections where this condition is prevalent the trouble is 

 minimized if mixed bacterin is used simultaneously with the 

 serum-virus treatment. This is sometimes referred to as the 

 triple treatment. For best results one injection of bacterins 

 should be given a few days before, one at the time of, and one 

 a few days subsequent to the use of the serum and virus. 



Normal Horse Serum 



This product is produced from the blood of horses which 

 are handled in the same manner as those producing immune 

 sera except that the horses from which it is drawn have 

 never been hyperimmunized with bacteria. The horses used 

 in its production are used only for this purpose and are 

 tested for their freedom from disease in the same manner 

 as those which produce immune sera. 



This product is extensively used in large hospitals for 

 the treatment of wounds. For this purpose it may be kept 

 constantly dripping on the wound, or gauze which has 

 been thoroughly saturated with the serum, is left in contact 

 with the wound. It is known that obstinate wounds such 

 as summer sores and abscesses which are so refractory to 

 other treatment, respond when treated in this manner. 



Normal horse serum is extensively used following hem- 

 orrhages, following operations where the loss of blood has 

 been excessive, in cases of anemia and in any cases where 

 blood transfusion is advisable. 



In Europe and South America, normal horse serum is 

 used extensively for the treatment of specific infections. It 

 has been claimed by several investigators that anthrax will 

 respond to the use of normal horse serum as well as to anti- 

 anthrax serum. While this product may have some bene- 

 ficial effect in such specific infections it will be found that 

 specific immune serum will give much more dependable re- 

 sults. 



The dose of normal horse serum must of necessity be 

 left to the judgment of the practitioner. Any amount may 

 be used without fear of harmful results. 



