Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-21
e horse has been immunlzed to diphthe-

the horse has been immunlzed to diphthe-
ria.
The next step IL 20 bleed the horse.
The neck IN FIRST scrubbed with soap and
warm water. then washed with a solution
of carbolic acid. An incis.on Ia then made
over the jugular-vein. which IL compressed
at the shoulder by an assistant. and next
a canua with q piece Of rubber tubing
attached. all OF which instruments have
been thoroughly sterllized. IL thrust into
vein. The distai end OF the rubber tubing
Is inserted into the neck of sterilized
flask. and the blood allowed TO flow into
Il.
FOR ACTUAL USE.
At the first bleeding OF each animal
usually only a sufficient amount Is taken
10 carry on tests for the purpose OF ascer-
tanning the strength OF the antitoxin
produced by that special animal, In order
10 see N Il has reached a standard where
II can be employed for actual use. Later,
this question having been determined, the
amount OF blood taken at each bleeding
is regulated by the strength Of the ami
NAL The first horse l saw bled was
large black. seventeen hands high. ana
weighing l.460 pounds. He yielded ten
tasks. each containing nearly hair q
litrc. a total OF about four and half
iitres, or about nine pints. rms
operation also is nearly painless
few OF the animals seriously re-
slsting or apparently objecting to the
procedure. These bleedings are done on
an average OF about once in three weeks.
and even while they are being regularly
carried on the horse does not suner IN
general condition. most OF them actually
continuing TO improve.
As each flask is filled 1t is plugged with
sterilizcd cotton an6 set aside for the
clot TO separate from the clear nuiu' or
serum. This process begins almost I'M
mediately. and after forty-eight hours
we have firm clot settled at the bottom
OF the flask. and above 1t the clear yell
low serum. The latter. which contains
the antltoxin In solution. but which is
itself commonly known az antitoxin Is
then carefully drawn off with steri-
lized pipette and transferred 10 small
bottles. each holding twenty-five cubic
centimetres. about six teaspoonfuls. Ihese
bottles are at once labelled with the
number Of the horse from which the blood
was taken and the date of the bleeding.
Before Ii is ready for use q specimen OF
Il must be carefully tested by series
OF injections into gunea-pigs. in order
TO ascertain it's anttoxin value. When
decided this is also noted on each label.
STRENGTH OF SERUM.
The method Of determining the strength
OF a given serum Is by injecting IT In
varying amounts into guinea-pigs at the
same time with one cubic centimetre. or
ten times the fatal dose. OF toxin. Those
which receive an insufficient quantity die
in from one 10 three days, while the
others survive. In this manner IS ascer-
tanned the smallest amount of that speciaI
serum which will protect guinea-pls
against ten times the fatal dose OF toxin.
The value OF the antitoxin, while de-
pendent largely. as has been stated, upon
the strength OF the toxin which the horse
from which II was obtained has received,
as well as upon the number of injections
and the quantity given at each injection,
varies beyond this in individual animals.
Some horses which have received FEWER
and smaller injections furnish an anti
toxin more powerful than that obtained
from others which have been longer I'M
der treatment and received larger doses.
Thus there is one horse at the college on
Fifty-seventh street which furnishes an
antitcxin Of the value Of 1850. while
another which has been there equally as
long and receives now twice the dose of
toxin which is given the former, yields
Il serum Of only 1-3GD--i. @. one sixth as
strong by antitoxin OF the value OF
1-1S0O OF cubic centimetre (about 1-l20
Of a drop is sufficient to protect
guinea pig against ten times the fatal
dose of toxin.
IT'S ACTIVITY.
After bottlng the serum a small lump of
gum-camphor is ignted. the flame blown
out and the camphor dropped in the
bottle. The bottles are then kept in
refrigerator, and it Is found that in this
manner the antitoxin preserves its ac-
tivity undiminished for several months
Other gntiseptics. such as thymol. have
been tried. but camphor has proved the
least Objectionable. and altogether the
most satisfactory.
The laboratory of the Health Depart
ment is situated in the Criminal-Court
building, a magnificent structure. occupy
ing the entire block bounded by Franklin,
White. Centre. and Elm streets and just
across Franklin street from the his
toTic Tombs. 1t Is here that the growths
of the germs are made to obtain the toX-
ms, and all the experiments upon guinea
pigs and other animals are carried on to
determine accurately the value Of the anti
toxin from each horse at each bleeding.
Here. also. the reports OF suspected cases
are received each day. together with
tube culture from the throat of each case
reported and microspopical examine
ton is made TO decide whether the IIoefiier
bacillus is present. The tubes and swabs
for the purpose are also sent from this
laboratory. This important branch of
the subject, however. falls more under the
practical side of the question, and Will
best be taken up in my next paper. which
will deal with the work done at the Will
lard Parker Hospital. Il. c. L., ". ID.