80 Bulletin No. 207. 



The Serologieal Relation of Botulism Antitoxin 

 to the Culture Filtrate of the Organism c-91. 



To ascertain the effect, if any, of the sterile nitrate of the 

 anaerobic organism isolated from the caecum of experimental 

 horse No. 91, as well as the relation of serum immune to B. 

 botulinus to the organism in question, on March 13th, 1917, at 

 9 :15 a. m., five horses and two mules, Nos. 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 

 1009, 1010, and 1011, received intravenously antitoxic sheep 

 serum (F) prepared against B. botulinus. The following day, 

 March 14th, at 9 :15 a. m., the above serum treated animals and 

 an untreated horse, No. 104, received each 2 cc. filtered (Pas- 

 teur-Chamberland B) broth culture of c-91 disguised in whole- 

 some oats. Each animal consumed this amount on 1000 gms. 

 of wholesome oats supplied in individual pans (Fig. 22). Horse 

 No. 104 manifested discomfort on March 17th at 7 a. m., mas- 

 ticated awkwardly and was salivated, dull and stupid. These 

 symptoms prevailed until the morning of March 19th, when 

 swallowing was impossible. On this day the animal displayed 

 a marked weakness, but attempted to swallow feed which 

 dropped from the mouth after being masticated (Fig. 23). A 

 distressed facial expression was noted. On the following morn- 

 ing this animal was permanently decumbent and no attempt 

 was made to prehend or masticate feed. The feet were moved 

 vigorously in a running motion, while at intervals the animal 

 rested quietly. The accompanying figure (Fig. 24) illustrates 

 the effect of the filtrate of the organism c-91, as well as the ap- 

 parent protective quality of botulism antitoxin. At 7 a. m. 

 March 21st horse No. 104 was dead. Horses and mules Nos. 

 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, and 1011 received wholesome 

 feed and water daily and were released on April 14th after 

 thirty days' observation. The serum-treated horses and mules 

 remained normal. 



The following gross lesions were observed at autopsy in 

 horse No. 104: Numerous skin abrasions about head and feet, 

 self-inflicted during decumbency. Meninges injected. Lungs 

 congested. Pleura ramified and injected. Slight ecchymoses 

 on heart. Sticky mucus adhered to inner wall of small intestine. 



