AmMl0rch.?8h9frrn-}  Loe filer  s  Toluol  Solution.  155 
special  syringe,  which  must  be  of  a  pattern  that  will  admit  of  com- 
plete sterilization.  Most  of  the  serum  which  is  produced  has  an  immu- 
nizing power  of  1  to  50,000  ;  that  is,  1  cubic  centimeter  of  the  serum 
is  sufficient  for  50  kilogrammes  of  body  weight.  The  dose  is  15  to 
20  cubic  centimeters,  repeated  in  about  24  hours,  the  two  injections 
being  sufficient  for  most  cases. 
The  serum  employed  in  America  has  thus  far  been  almost  entirely 
obtained  from  Berlin  ;  but  several  cities  in  the  United  States  now 
have  horses  under  treatment,  so  that  the  home  supply  will,  no  doubt, 
soon  equal  the  demand. 
Wherever  the  remedy  has  been  used  against  diphtheria,  the  per- 
centage of  mortality  has  at  once  shown  a  marked  decrease,  and 
this  has  been  so  universally  the  case  that  we  are  forced  to  the  con- 
clusion that  a  remedy  for  this  dreaded  disease  has  been  found. 
LOEFFLER'S  TOLUOL  SOLUTION.  - 
Despite  the  fact  that  antitoxin  is  the  coming  remedy  for  diph- 
theria, this  solution,  proposed  by  the  discoverer  of  the  diphtheria 
bacillus,  is  a  useful  adjunct  in  the  treatment,  and  is  also  serviceable 
in  suspicious  cases,  and  in  various  non-diphtheric  inflammations. 
The  formula  is  as  follows: 
Menthol   10  grammes. 
Toluol  sufficient  to  make   36  c.c. 
Alcohol   60  c.c. 
Solution  of  ferric  chloride   4  c.c. 
The  application  is  made  by  first  cleansing  the  affected  parts  with 
a  cotton  swab,  held  by  forceps,  and  then  in  a  similar  manner  apply- 
ing the  solution  with  a  freshly-saturated  cotton  swab. 
Precautions  must  be  taken  against  infection  from  the  sudden 
coughing  of  the  patient,  which  is  liable  to  occur  as  a  result  of  the 
application. 
