Abstract
Ehrlich early suggested that injections of partially neutralized diphtheria toxin produced active immunity. This was demonstrated by Wernicke, Dreyer and Madsen, Morgenroth, ourselves and others. Smith in a recent article suggested the use of such mixtures in the immunization of children. The possibility of such a practical application has suggested to us some experiments with especial reference to the safety and effectiveness of the injections.
The proportion of toxin to antitoxin in the mixture required to produce immunization. — In May, 1903, one of us reported some experiments in which one set of horses were injected with mixtures containing toxin .66 of L+ dose for each unit of antitoxin and another with .66 of L+ for each 4 units of antitoxin. Three large injections produced in the first series an average of 150 units, in the second an average of 3 units in each c.c. of serum.
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