IMMUNITY ANTITOXINS. 



which, until the use of antitoxin used to be fifty 



per cent and over, has through the instru- 



mentaUty of this agent been reduced to three 



per cent when used sufficiently early in the case. Power of 



■' •' Antitoxins. 



Antitoxins are said to have the power, to render 



inert bacteria that may already be present in 

 the subject treated, or to bring about such alter- 

 ations in the tissues of the body as will prevent 

 their development and a cure is the result. 



There are four steps necessary in the prepar- 

 tion of antitoxins : 



I. — ^The germs are obtained and grown in a 

 proper substance under suitable conditions until 

 the toxin or poison is produced. 



II. — ^The poison is introduced in gradually 

 increased doses until protection is obtained. 

 (A dose, we are taught, can be borne toward 

 the last of the treatment which if given at first 

 would have caused instant death.) Some 

 authorities tell us the process takes from three 

 to six months. Others give the period as from 

 six months to two years. 



III. — Some of the blood of the immune ani- 

 mal is next obtained; aseptic precautions are 

 observed during its removal. After coagula- 

 tion the serum is taken and its protecting 

 power tested in other lower animals. 



IV. — It is put up in tubes, sterilized, and care- 

 fully and aseptically sealed, ready for the use 

 of the human subject. 



6s 



