TOXINS OR TOXALBUMINS 37 



and inflammation. The best examples of these are mallein, a 

 product obtained from old cultures of glanders bacilli, and the 

 original, or old tuberculin of Koch. 



Toxins or toxalbumins are soluble bacterial products which are 

 removable by nitration from the bacteria, and which are thermola- 

 bile. The tetanus and diphtheria toxins belong to this class. 



These various poisons produce many of the clinical pathological 

 entities and symptoms, known to physicians. Their highly com- 

 plex molecular structure enables a group of atoms in the toxic mole- 

 cule to unite with a certain other group of atoms in the protoplasmic 

 molecule of a body cell. The latter is either killed outright, or else 

 is stimulated to produce other free groups of combining atoms (lat- 

 eral chains) which may unite with other toxic groups. 



Various kinds of cells are attacked in infective processes. Leuco- 

 cytes may be degenerated, forming pus; red blood cells may be dis- 

 solved, causing anaemia; important nerves may be degenerated; or 

 muscle fibers of the heart may undergo fatty degeneration and die. 

 Again, mechanically important serous cavities may be filled with 

 serum, interfering with normal functions of the enveloped organs. 

 The heart orifices may be closed partially or emboli may form, or 

 false membranes block the air passages, and a hundred other patho- 

 logical changes may be wrought by these toxins. 



If toxins are injected into the body with the specific organism pro- 

 ducing them, the effect of the latter is greatly increased. Tetanus 

 spores, washed free of toxins, if injected, are incapable of setting up 

 tetanus. 



Most toxins are easily decomposed by sunlight, air, and heat. 

 Absolute alcohol separates the active principle from the bouillon 

 in which it grows. Ammonium sulphate also separates the toxins 

 of tetanus and diphtheria bacilli, which float on top of the fluid, from 

 which they may be collected, dried and powdered, and in this state 

 may be kept much longer without deteriorating into inert substances. 

 Small quantities of bile and pancreatic juice destroy the toxic proper- 

 ties of diphtheria and tetanus toxin. 



