Some remarks on the therapeutic value of antistreptoccic serum

In the preceeding pages, instead.of entirely confirming my remarks to the instance which occurred in my ovum practice, I have endeavoured by a selection of cases from the experience of others, to indicate, so far as I am able, the position held by Antistreptococcic serum as a therapentic agent. It will be seen therefore. 1. That its successful application in a measure depends on a recognition of the microbe which is responsible for the infection ie it is Useless to expect a favourable result in say Staplulococcic infection. 2. Even when Streptococci are demonstrated its employment is sometimes unsatisfactory; this is explained by the fact that a given sample of curative serum is only antagonistic to a like strain of Streptococci from which it has been derived. Therefore as has already been pointed out it is important to immunise the animal against as many strains of this organism as possible. 3. Experience would poini, to the view that many forms of mixed infection might well be treated by a serum of polyvalent character derived from animals immunised against various forms of pathogenic bacteria. 4. That in certain forms of Septicaemia of more or less obscure character it seems to be of great value and this value will probably be further emphasised by the result of additional trials. 5. It should be used as early as possible in the course of the disease. For this reason it is imperative in doubtful cases to have a bacteriological examination of the blood and secretions. As the injections rarely cause any inconvenience the application of the serum need not be delayed until the receipt of the bacteriological report: If the report contra indicates this particular serum, no harm has been done and if a positive report has been received much valuable time has been gained. 6. As regards dosage 10 C. CM appears to be an average dose. In many instances the amount injected is too small. It is often well to commence with a large quantity say 20 C CM fcr one injection. This was the procedure followed out in the case which happened in my own experience, 7. Antistreptococcic serum is not antitoxic in the same other serums are. It is primarily Ante -bacterial but by its inhibitary action on these organisms, it at the same time lowers their toxin production. As the bounds of our knowledge of many forms *of bacterial infection become more extended, we may safely assume that this particular branch of Serumtherapy will obtain a wider recognition with more certain results.