170 



Biological Therapy 



days until suppuration ceases. In cases where good results 

 do not become apparent after the first of second injection 

 the dose should be gradually increased. Occasionally stock 

 bacterins do not accomplish the desired results in suppura- 

 tive cases, which is generally due to the fact that some 

 organism not ordinarily present in such cases and therefore 

 not included in stock bacterins is responsible for the trouble. 

 In such cases, if stock bacterins fail to accomplish the 

 desired results, recourse should be had to autogenic bac- 

 terins which are described on page 93. 



Anti-streptococcic serum is a most valuable biological 

 product for the treatment of acute or generalized septi- 

 cemias due to streptococcus. The acute infections, such as 

 purpura hemorrhagica, which so often follow other diseases 

 and which are due to the activities of pyogenic streptococci, 

 are most effectively combatted by the use of anti-strepto- 

 coccic serum. This should be injected intravenously in 

 doses of fifty to two hundred c.c. and should be repeated 

 each twelve to twenty-four hours until improvement is 

 marked. Unusual care is given to the production of Pitman- 

 Moore anti-streptococcic serum. The antigen used in in- 

 jecting the horses which produce this serum is made from 

 cultures of pyogenic streptococci isolated from suppurative 

 conditions and which possess great virulency. This viru- 

 lency is maintained throughout the use of such cultures, thus 

 making the anti-streptococcic serum extremely potent and 

 thoroughly polyvalent. 



Tetanus 



This is an acute toxemia which is most frequently seen 

 in horses although all domestic animals are susceptible to 

 the disease. It is characterized by muscular spasms due to 

 involvement of the nervous system. 



ETIOLOGY. The disease is caused by an anaerobic 

 organism, B. tetani. This organism propagates and lives 

 in the soil, in barnyards, manure pits and similar places. 

 Such premises remain constantly infected and represent a 

 menace to animals which are injured while on such territory 

 since infection may occur through any fresh wound. When 

 B. tetani gains entrance through such wounds it remains 

 localized at the point of infection and causes the disease by 

 the elimination of its toxin which travels to all parts of the 

 body. The toxin involves the nervous system, after which 



