Abstract
Eosin and certain other anilin dyes have the power of destroying in vitro the hemolytic property of tetanus-toxin.
Eosin, when used in sufficient quantity, destroys tetanospasmin in vitro.
Simultaneous injection of tetanus-toxin and eosin into rats delays or prevents the appearance of the symptoms of tetanus. When the symptoms appear they progress more slowly than in control animals.
Spores of tetanus-bacilli when introduced on threads into rats, and followed immediately by an injection of eosin into the same locality, do not produce tetanus. The treatment of animals with eosin, after the first appearance of the tetanic symptoms following spore-infection, may prevent the further development of the symptoms of tetanus. Eosin injections into the same locality as the spore inoculations are the most effective, but injections into other parts of the body delay or modify the tetanic process.
Rats are more resistant to tetanus poison than guinea-pigs, and hence are more easily protected by eosin from tetanus; but in guinea-pigs the fatal issue can be delayed by eosin.
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