236 PA THOGENIC BACTERIA.

report, but Fisch's cases have shown remarkable improve-
ment The subject is pregnant with interest and deserves
attention.

Hirshfelderl claims to have cured a large number of
cases of tuberculosis by the use of a preparation known
as oxytuberculin. It consists of a 4 per cent, glycerin-
bouillon culture of very virulent tubercle bacilli, which
after being sterilized for one hour, and filtered, receives
the addition of S-io volumes of hydrogen peroxid, and is
then sterilized for ninety-six hours in a steam apparatus.
During the sterilization the fluid is kept in a glass vessel,
plugged with cotton wool. The peroxid of hydrogen is
renewed every twelve hours.

From the fluid obtained in this way the excess of the
peroxid is removed by alkalinization. Before being em-
ployed in human medicine the remedy is tested upon
guinea-pigs. The dose may gradually be increased to 20
c.cm. The theory of action is based upon a claimed
destruction of the toxic property of the tuberculin by the
oxidation of the peroxid of hydrogen, which leaves a
harmless but potent immunizing substance in the fluid.

Paterson2 has suggested, for the production of immun-
ity to tuberculosis, the use of .gradually increasing doses
of the serum of a fowl immunized to avian tuberculosis
by gradually increased doses of sterilized, attenuated, and
virulent cultures of the bacillus of avian tuberculosis.
Curative results were observed in fowls thus treated, and
in mammals similarly treated, and the inference drawn
is that men treated in the same manner can be similarly
benefited. The dose recommended is 2 c.cm.

The theory depends upon the supposed identity or near
relationship of the bacilli of avian and mammalian tu-
berculosis.

Klebs has claimed much advantage from the treatment
of tuberculosis by antiphthisin. According to the ex-

1 Deutsche med. Wochenschrift^ 1897, No. 19, and Jour, of the Anur. Med.

.) 1897.

2 Amer. Medico-Surg. Bull., Jan. 25, 1898.