ANTISEPTICS, DISINFECTANTS AND GERMICIDES. 237 



SERUMS. 



Antidiphtheric Serum is derived from the blood of a horse in which high immun- 

 ity has been produced by a succession of gradually increasing doses of diphtheria 

 toxin. This immunity is the result of the development of some substance termed 

 antitoxin. 



The antitoxins are efficient through neutralization of the toxins generated by the 

 diphtheria bacilli. The serum produces no symptoms due to the antitoxin; but ery- 

 themas, fever and fleeting pains sometimes occur as a result of inevitably-retained 

 anaphylactic substances. 



Therapeutics. The serum is specific in diphtheria if used early, and in sufficient 

 amount. 



Dose. Prophylactic, 1000 units; combative, 10,000 units, repeated. 



(A unit is the amount necessary to protect a 25O-Gm. guinea-pig against 100 

 times the fatal dose of toxin.) 



Antitetanus Serum is derived from immunized horse serum. It is used to coun- 

 teract the toxin of tetanus, and seems to act more efficiently as a preventive than as 

 a curative. 



Dose. One thousand units; repeated as necessary. 



Typhoid Vaccine has given remarkable results in the army as a preventive of 

 enteric fever. 



ANTISEPTICS, DISINFECTANTS and GERMICIDES. 



Acidum Boricum is a feeble deterrent of germ growth. It is advantageously 

 employed as a collyrium and in douches. 



Aqua Hydrogenii Dioxidi is a useful disinfectant on surfaces and in freely flush- 

 able cavities. It acts through disengagement of free oxygen. 



Oleum Eucalypti is a mild inhibitor of germ growth. Its use as a spray is 

 thought to lessen scarlatina complications. 



Cupri Sulp as, i-i million, is used to destroy algae in the reservoirs of drinking 

 water. 



Argenti Nitras (0.5% sol.) is a valuable antiseptic and gonorrheal prophylactic 

 when used (once only) as a collyrium in new-born infants. It acts by coagulating 

 albumin. 



Balsamum Peruvianum is an efficient germicide in pediculosis pubis ; and a mild 

 antiseptic and stimulant in sluggish granulations. 



Cresol is an antiseptic of the phenol series, acting by precipitation of protein. 



Liquor Formaldehydi is a powerful germicide and disinfectant, acting, presum- 

 ably, by uniting with the amino group in the proteins of the microbes. 



Hexamethylenamina is a urinary antiseptic, acting through the formaldehyde 

 liberated. 



Phenol is germicide and disinfectant, being a poison to all protoplasm. 



