Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 17.djvu/886

SEKTJM THERAPY. 806 SERVAL. (me antitoxin, and in cases of snakebite it ap- jiarently produces temporary cell stinnilation instead" of immunity. It should be used within HO or 90 minutes' after the reception of the poison in dosage of 10 c.c. hypodermically. Anti- venene is to be issued to all the military hospitals in India, in which country the mortality from snake-bites during the 10 years preceding 1900 averaged 12,000 annually. AxTiciioi.KRA Serum. A series of experiments with this serum has been made at Calcutta, where cholera has been very prevalent and fatal for years among the coolies employed by the tea i51anters, with a i-csult of a reduction of mortality from cholera of 72 per cent. ANTiTriiEiU'i.io Serum. The best figures attain- able regarding the use of antitubcrcle serum are those of Stubhcrt, formerly of the Loomis Sani- tarium, Liberty, N. Y., who reports marked im- provement in 78 per cent, of the eases in which the serum was used. Antityphoid Serum. Tliis serum has been used extensively in Netley Hospital, England, and among British troops in India and South Africa as an inoculation to prevent contraction of ty- phoid. Less than 1 per cent, of the inoculated men fall victims to the disease, and of these less than 25 per cent, die ; while of uninoculated men over 21/2 per cent, contract the disease, and of these over 22 per cent. die. Diphtheria Antitoxin. The best known anti- toxin is that used in combating diphtheria, and obtained from serum of animals which have been inoculated with cultures of the Klebs-Loeffler bacillus. While there are a few men of ability and experience who deny its efficacy, a vast num- ber who have thoroughly tested its usefulness contribute an overwhelming and convincing mass of evidence in its favor. It is given by hypo- dermic injection, preferably between the shoulder blades, as early as diagnosis is made, and is of rapid efficacy in children. The mortality from diphtheria in cases treated with antitoxin is from 9 to 13 per cent., against 35 to 40 per cent. in eases treated by other methods. Erysipelas Serum. For purposes of inmniniz- ing as well as for curative endeavor in any stage of an attack Marmorek's serum is used. It is composed of two parts of human blood serum mixed with bouillon, one part, sterilized and used in fluid form. Antistreptococcus Serum. Many diseases be- come rapidly fatal through the virulence of streptococcus infection added to the original bac- terial invasion. Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and tuberculosis are almost always complicated by streptococcal infection, while erysipelas, phleg- mon, septicsemia from infected wounds, and also most cases of puerperal septicaemia are directly caused by the streptococcus bacillus. Jlar- morek's serum very frequently effects their cure; but better results have beeii obtained from an antistreptococcal serum, which has reduced the mortality of puerperal septicaemia to 25 per cent. Daily injections for at least a week appear to be necessary. Antitetanic Serum. It was not till 1,S!)7 that pure cultures of the germ of tetanus were made by Kitasato, although it was discovered in 1894 by Nicolaier. Formerly the disease was almost uniformly fatal. In the United States this mor- tality has been reduced to less than 35 per cent., through the use of the serum. Sarcoma Antitoxi.n. A mixture devised by Cole}-, of New York, from cultures of baeillua prodigiosus has been successful in a fair propor- tion of eases. Carcinoma Antitoxin. Reynier, of France, has reported success with injections of a serum in cases of carcinoma. His serum is that obtained by Wlaeft' from the inoculation of birds with blastomycetes isolated from human cancers. Trc.xeck'.s Serum. A preparation improperly termed 'inorganic serum' has been used by Truneck and others by hypodermic injection in cases of arteriosclerosis. It is a solution con- taining the sulphate of chloride, phosphate, and carbonate of sodium, with sulphate of potassium. It increases the alkalinity of the blood and is supposed to dissolve phosphatic deposits in the walls of the vessels. Antipest Serum and Haffkine's Fluid. Y'er- sin's antipest serum is Idood-serum taken from horses that have been inoculated with tlic plague. Hypodermic injection of the serum causes imme- diate immunity, which, unfortunatel_y, lasts only 12 to 14 days. A difficulty in securing acquies- cence in repeated injections at once arises, and as a popular treatment it is under a disadvan- tage, it is, however, the only actual remedy for the plague after it has appeared, for if given early in the disease it is curative. Haffkine".s fluid is a liquid in which the bacillus of plague has been cultivated and rendered virulent by special methods, the bacilli after abundant growth being killed by an exposure of the cul- ture to a temperature of 70° C. for several hours. Inoculation with Haflfkine's fluid confers immu- nity which lasts from a few days to several months. A great disadvantage in its use lies in the facts that during immunization the person is more susceptible to plague; and if he has al- ready contracted even a mild form the inocula- tion might be fatal. Authorities recommend the provision of antipest serum for prompt use in order to avert an epidemic in the first cases and the em]doyment of Hafl'kine's fluid to inoculate the people dwelling in localities threatened with an invasion of the disease. Serums for the Lower Animals. The Bureau of Animal Industry of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture has been for years experi- menting with scrums made from the causative bacilli of hog cholera and swine plague, with a resulting recovery of 80 per cent, of the treated animals, against a recovery of from 15 to 29 per cent, of animals not treated. A serum de- 'ised by Loeffler and Uhlenhuth, of Austria, gives immunity for 4 to 8 weeks to animals exposed to foot-and-mouth disease. See Vaccination, and each of the diseases mentioned; Antitoxin; Toxin. Consult: Sternberg, Immiinit)/. Pro- tecfire Iiwculatinns in Iiifecfioiis Diseases, find fierunithcrnpr/ (New York, 1895); Landau, Die Serumthcrapie (Berlin and Vienna, 1900) ; Stet- son, Srrri inthrrapi/ in the Lipht of the Most Recent In rest ifini ions (Providence, 1902). SERVAIi (South African name). A large, long-legged African wildcat (Felis scrval), which may reach 40 inches in length, with a tail Ifl inches long. It is varying tawny in color, with black spots, tending to form two longitudinal bands on the back, and rings on the tail. Its fur. known in trade as 'tiger-cat.' may be recognized by two characteristic hori- zontal black bands on the upper inner surface of