Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-10-19

that is essential is that the patient
| shall receive q sufficient number Of
| units.
When the examination Of the sample
Of blood withdrawn shows that the
blood of the horse contains sufficient
number Of units to make 1t useful, the
horse is bled. This Is a simple process
and is always done in the most humane
manner possible. The horse suffers no
pain after the momentary tingle caus-
ed by the needle as it punctures the
skin. After one or two bleedings, the
animal usually learns what he may ex-
pect, and shows almost no sign Of fear
or pain. Care Is always taken to make
sure that the bleeding does not injure
the horse. Depending upon the size Of
the animal from five to ten quarts may
be taken, after which he is given a
bucket Of water and a measure Of oats,
and is soon happy again.
The blood that has been withdrawn Is
permitted to coagulate or clot, and Is
then put away in a refrigerator for q
few days. During this time the clot re-
tracts and clear amber fluid-the Sc
rum-escapes from it. This serum con-
tains the antitoxin.
The Wonderful Results Obtained.
1t Is possible to handle the blood and
the separated serum with such care
that it does not become contaminated
by germs of life from the air, bottles,
etc., but with the exception Of a few
laboratories in which the French tech
mic is followed experimenters prefer to
add some antiseptic to 1t so that all
danger Of its spelling may be prevent
ed.
The antitOxic serums are always ad-
ministered by hypodermic injection. It
Is absolutely necessary that the remedy
be introduced into the circulation di-
rect, for 1t Is digested in the stomach
and produces no effect when given in
the mouth. Diphtheria antitoxin ef-
fects the cure Of diphtheria through its
antidotal action upon the specific poi
son of the disease. 1t has no destruct-
i've action upon the diphtheria germs,
which remain alive in the throat for O
long time after recovery, though they
are no longer able to cause disease.
They may, however, cause disease in
some other throat into which they ac-
cidentally enter, hence convalescent
from diphtheria should always remain
isolated until psychological exami-
nation Of the throat shows that the
danger Of infection is past.
Concerning the results which have
been achieved by serum therapy one
can speak with certainty. 1t is almost
safe to assert that, could every case Of
diphtheria be recognized and treated
at once, there would be no more deaths
from the dread disease. Unfortunately
ignorance and prejudice will probably
always operate to upset such a pro-
gramme. Cases are held under suspic-
ion several days before they are posi-
lively identified, and treatment Is be-
gun too late, or not enough serum Is
administered, or the dose Is not repeat
ed as often as may be necessary, and
lives are cost in consequence.
The statistics of the world now prove
that diphtheria antitoxin Is the only
scientific treatment for the disease.
We find on every hand that in hospitals
for infectious diseases where ten years
ago the death rate from diphtheria was
80 and 40 per cent, under the syste-
matte use Of antitoxin 1t has been re-
duced to 20, Is, 10, and even In some
places per cent. Probably there Is
no other medicinal preparation Of
which 1t can be said so emphatically
that 1t has saved lives. There certain
ly is no other medicine Of which it can
be said that, If 1t could be used at once
in every case, no patient would die