1896.] rapidly producing Diphtheria Antitoxines. 



297 



this cumulative action may be produced still more markedly by the 

 use of other toxines than those elaborated by the diphtheria bacillus, 

 a result which I was quite prepared for, as Woodhead* and myself had 

 in a previous communication drawn special attention to this summa- 

 tive action of bacterial products. 



Although this part of the investigation is still quite incomplete, 

 an application of this principle, which may be of importance, may 

 be here suggested. The excessively costly nature of snake venom 

 and the practical difficulties of obtaining it in sufficient quantities 

 have been a great obstacle to the immunisation of the larger animals 

 or the production of anti-venines of any high degree of strength. 

 It is probable that by the use of other toxines in the later stage 

 the quantities of the costly snake venom necessary may be greatly 

 lessened. 



[In this preliminary communication I have dealt with horses 

 which have been under treatment only for a short period, and have 

 shown that antitoxines at least as strong as the best in use can be 

 quickly and easily produced, but I have every reason to believe that, 

 under more prolonged treatment, much more powerful diphtheria 

 antitoxines can be obtained than has been previously possible.] 



In conclusion it may be said that the following advantages may 

 be claimed for the use of the toxines in the way I have described. 



1. That powerful diphtheria antitoxines can be produced without 

 risk in a much shorter period, of time than has been previously 

 possible. 



2. That much more powerful antitoxines can be easily produced 

 so that the amount necessary to be injected into a patient can be 

 greatly reduced, and one of the great objections to its introduction 

 into private practice in this country may be removed. 



3. That the greater strength of the serum will permit of the 

 patient receiving at the beginning of treatment a sufficient quantity 

 of the serum at one injection, when, as is universally recognised 

 both by animal experiment and clinical experience, its curative 

 action is exerted most markedly. 



I must acknowledge my extreme indebtedness to the Director of 

 the Laboratories, Dr. Sims Woodhead, for much invaluable advice 

 and assistance during the course of this investigation. 



* " On the Antidotal and Summative Actions that the Products of Bacteria exert 

 on the Course of Infective Disease," ' Lancet/ February 22, 1890. 



VOL. LIX. 



X 



