Abstract
Forty-eight guinea pigs, averaging about 225 gm. were divided into 2 groups of 24 each. On February 24th, 1931, those to be treated were given 1/4 cc. of spleen extract subcutaneously in the left groin, and on March 3rd they were given 3/8 cc. On March 5th both groups were inoculated subcutaneously in the right groin with 1/2 cc. of an emulsion containing a human strain of Tuberculosis bacilli, 4 bacilli to a high powered microscopic field. The treated group were then given 3/8 cc. of spleen extract every second day.
In other words, 83.3% of the treated animals were living as compared with 12.5% of the untreated on May 9th.
Both treated and untreated groups at necropsy showed hypertrophy of the spleen.
In each treated animal at the site of the inoculation a swelling developed which contained caseous material. The untreated animals did not show this. In other experiments the inguinal glands of untreated animals have suppurated at the site of inoculation and a grey sloughing ulcer resulted. No ulceration has been seen in the treated pigs. Guinea pigs of about 225 gm. in weight are much better for this experiment than the larger pigs, as the smaller animals have practically no spleen and, if given a fairly large dose of Tuberculosis bacilli, the controls die early, while, by giving spleen to the other group, one is able to carry on a large percentage for some time.
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