Abstract
The mixture has been readjusted so that after standing eight months and longer, late paralysis will occur when the mixture is injected into guinea pigs. This is done by adding to each L+ dose one unit of a properly aged antitoxin. When five mils of this mixture is injected into guinea pigs acute death occurs within four or five days. The mixture is then stored in a refrigerator for a month to six weeks for stabilizing.
On reinjecting five mils, after storage, the guinea pigs die of late paralysis after twenty to twenty-five days. It is then properly balanced and safe for distribution. Prepared as stated it retains its balance eight months and possibly much longer and its practically full immunizing value at least a year. What slight deterioration occurs takes place equally in the toxin and antitoxin and therefore there is no danger of the mixture becoming toxic.
Constitutional disturbances are frequent. They are usually observed in adults, especially in those who give a pseudo Schick reaction. These disturbances are mostly due to the bacillary substances which are present in the diphtheria toxin.
Methods for refining the mixture for the complete removal of the bacillary substances have not been found. Considerable of these reacting substances can be eliminated through the use of ammonium sulphate, sodium chloride and alcohol.
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