Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-10

sneciao germ Of true diphtheria is called
The Kiebs-LoeffIer bacillus. from the two
eminent psychologists who first studlea
q cultures OF this bacillus are Obtained
from the threats of dphtherltlc paueHts.
These cultures, If pure that 49, Iee
from other germs, are planted IN laSNS
az beef houillon-a modified form OF peer
tea--whlch are placed in an U cupaloI anu
allowed 10 remain there az pouy teIh-
perature from seven 10 loui.e r.
The TASKS are then taken out anu tne
bo,,illon examined microscopicaliy 10
make sure that no foreign germs are pres
ont The bouillon is next htered uhdeF
strong pressure through sterllzed porce-
lsip which takes out all bacterlas pres
emf and leaves the clear, transparent hulu'
which now consists of the orlsihal poulI-
lon plus the poison when the germ pc
creted during it's growth. This latter SUD-
stonca &c dinhtheria toxin. The virulence
of the bouilion containing this toxin must
now be determined before it Is USED LOT
immunizing. Its potency may be inferred
from the fact that one-hfueth 10 one
tenth of a drop viii suffice TO XIII nan
grown guinea-pig. A healthy l,ZVV-pouHG
horse has been known 10 die WIN typical
svrnrtoms of diphtheritic paralysis, when
only two drops Of the fluid had Deeh gwen
as an initial injection.
TRYING IT ON HORSES.
I'd TO this point have been describing
the preparation Of the diphtherla Toxin
The manufacture of the anti-dphtheritic
serum-Nature's antagonist TO the dlph-
iberia poison-properly begins with the
animal selected for immunization. Inc
horse has been found 10 be the most SUIT
able animal for many reasons. Small mi
tial injections Of the toxin are MADE al
the laboratory and careful record kept
Jf the reaction TO the poison, as mani
tested by the rise in the anlmalS tenn
perature. effect on respiration, etc IN
short time, from gradually increased
doses, the horse, which may have almost
died from the initial injection OF the frac-
ton of a drop, becomes immune 10 the
toxin and the injection OF quart OF IL
causes no systemic disturbance. Inc Dlood
serum Of such horse has anti-toXlc pro-
perties. which is reckoned, in describing
it's strength, as consisting OF so many
anti-tox.c units" An anti-toxic unit is
theoretically capable of preserving the
lives OF 100 guinea-pigs of medium size
from the fatal dose of toxin-it may vary
within the limits OF experimental error
in actual experience, so that the NUMBER
may be slightly over or under TINS. An
apti-diphtheritc serum Of Loo antl-toHlc
units would preserve no less than lVO,VJO
guinea-pgs from a poisonous dose OF the
dphtheria toxin. This is the strength
employed most commonly for saving hu-
man lives from the raVages OF this HluCh-
dreaded disease.
These statements, IL should be remem-
bered are borne out in numberless tests
performed every day in the biological
laboratory. They are based on no wild
theorizing or speculation, they are as
positively established as any chemical re-
action.
POSITIVELY ESTABLISHED.
After the horses have been treated for
a sufficient time. and are able TO resist
large quantities of the toxin, test quanu-
ties of blood are drawn from the juguiar
vein into TASKS, and these placed in
refrigerator. After some hours the clot
contracts and squeezes out the clear,
watery, straw-colored serum, which con-
tains tie antitoxin; after passing through
sterilized filters 1t is ready for use. Mean
while. it's strength in antitoxic units has
been determined by experimental test on
series Of guinea pigs.
To turn from the experiments to the
institution. The finest dairy in the world
could not be more scrupulousiy clean.
That this is an important point is evil
denced by the fact that the animals are
under the care or oversight of a gentle
man VINO for many years was State Nete-
rinarian for MlchlSal ms sehtleHldn
purchases, after critical examination, all
animals. and only the young and per-
fectly healthy are taken.
GOOD DIET REQUIRED.
Wholesome food is of the utmost i'm
portance. The more invigorating the
diet the greater is the animals tolerance
I of the diphtheria poison or toxin. and the
more potent the serum it eventually pro-
duces. Consequently. the rations are care
fully attended TO. Grooming and daily
exercise by the numerous ATTENDANTS Is
also looked after; large, open paddocKs
adjoining the buildings serving IN good
weather and the centre floor space IN
stormy weather for this purpose.
II the eminent scientists at Work there
succeed in discovering way to save the
lives Of our soldiers now battling for the
honor OF the flag and the freedom of Cuba.
then win have won the lasting gratitude
of the nation.