THERAPEUTIC RESULTS WITH CONCENTRATED SCARLET FEVER ANTITOXIN

Abstract

In 1923, we were able to establish the hemolytic streptococcus as the cause of scarlet fever by a series of human inoculation experiments in which the strains of streptococci used fulfilled the requirements of Koch's laws. But long before that, the association of hemolytic streptococci with scarlet fever had led to attempts at treatment with antistreptococcus serums without waiting for proof of the etiology. These serums were frequently employed by physicians who did not credit the hemolytic streptococcus with causing scarlet fever, but regarded it as an important secondary invader. In 1902, Moser of Vienna described the first antistreptococcus serum for use in scarlet fever. His serum was obtained by immunizing horses with living serum-broth cultures of streptococci isolated from the heart's blood of fatal cases. Moser noted that following the administration of his serum, there was an improvement in the symptoms of scarlet fever commonly attributed to the toxemia