VACCINE-THERAPY 103 



What, then, is the orthodox therapeutist's misfortune 

 should be the vaccine-therapist's opportunity ; for the fact 

 that the bacteria are deep-seated gives him a better 

 opportunity, with his vaccine, of driving home in full 

 force Nature's whipped-up, refreshed, and restored anti- 

 bodies. 



Although staphylococci are the usual pus - forming 

 bacteria present, and particularly the albus, it does not 

 follow other bacteria may be absent. It therefore behoves 

 the practitioner to make sure by careful microscopical and 

 biological examination what the nature of the infection is. 



The dose of staphylococci depends largely upon the size, 

 age, and general condition, of the dog. To a medium-sized 

 dog we usually begin with 75,000,000 devitalized 

 bacteria, watching the symptoms. If one finds a 

 sufficient negative phase has been established, wait about 

 five to seven days, and repeat by giving 100,000,000, the 

 third dose being increased to 150,000,000. After tolera- 

 tion has been established, we have given to a retriever as 

 much as 1,000,000,000 staphylococci. If the improvement 

 is not as much as one would anticipate, do not hesitate to 

 give bolder doses; but it is always well to begin with a 

 moderately small initial dose, and work upwards. 



Locally one must endeavour to get the lymph to flow 

 freely, and great benefit is to be derived from boric lint 

 soaked in boiling water, applied to the skin very hot 

 and over this a thick layer of oilskin should be applied 

 and retained. Citrate of soda and boric lotion should also 

 be applied at intervals, and if need be citric acid should be 

 administered internally. Later a course of calcium sul- 

 phide tabloids should be carried out. Needless to add, the 

 patient should be fed up, and kept, by being placed in 

 healthy surroundings, from reinfecting himself. 



The opsonic index will be very low usually ; in one case 

 we found it as low as 0'39. This was a chronic case, and 

 the animal was in a cachexous condition. 



