Abstract
Following the work of W. P. Larson 1 on the production of an antipneumococcus serum by means of whole pneumococcus cultures treated with Sodium Ricinoleate, studies were made to determine the mode of action of the serum. Used clinically, Larson's serum promptly and strikingly relieves the symptoms of intoxication in a large percentage of cases of pneumonia; and inasmuch as the serum does not appear to possess a high titre of animal protective bodies, as ordinarily measured, other avenues of approach were tried.
It developed that we could produce the clinical and pathological symptomatology of pneumonia in suitable animals with certain sterile pneumococcus filtrates intraperitoneally, and they may thereby be caused to develop dyspnea, prostration, and even death. At autopsy the lungs show congestion, infiltration, hemorrhage and even hepatization.
Such filtrates, when injected into the skin of certain animals, e. g., rabbits, produce a reaction, in 16 to 24 hours, for an area of redness one to several centimeters in diameter may develop, such a reaction slowly fading over a period of several days. By suitable dilution, it has been found possible to so control the dosage, that 0.1 cc. will cause an area of redness 1.0 cm. to 1.5 cm. in diameter to appear, and reaches a maximum in 16 to 24 hours.
The phenomena described may be successfully produced in other animals than those mentioned.
It is obvious, of course, that a restricted line of procedure must be followed in the preparation of the filtrates.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.