IMMUNIZATION WITH MODIFIED TOXIN

The introduction by Park¹ of the 0.1 L + diphtheria toxin-antitoxin mixture seems to have done away with the possibility of its inducing human hypersensitiveness² to horse serum. Indeed, Bauer and Wilmer³ concluded that hypersensitivity to horse protein is not developed with this mixture; more recently, Spicer⁴ concluded that previous administration of toxin-antitoxin has little if any effect on subsequent treatment with serum and that the danger of sensitization is greatly exaggerated. On the other hand, Stewart,⁵ Gatewood and Baldridge⁶ and Lathrop⁷ reported instances of sensitization to horse serum after injections of toxin-antitoxin, although no evidence is presented that the hypersensitiveness was not present before the administration of the toxin-antitoxin.

The possibility of sensitization has led Hooker⁸ to suggest the use of goat serum in the preparation of toxin-antitoxin, and has given impetus to the use of detoxified toxins. In 1924, Ramon⁹