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This material is obtained in the serum of an immunized animal, the horse being
selected as the best subject for the process.
By a series of elaborate operations the animal is inoculated with the virus through
such degrees that it is finally brought to a stage of great immunity to lethal doses of
the active microbe. It is then found that the serum of the blood of such an animal
when injected into another effectively hinders the reproduction of the bacilli and the
formation of toxines. When the subcutaneous injection of this fluid in measured
quantities (all determined by careful experiment) is made into the body of a person
already attacked with plague, it mingles in the tissues and circulating fluids, and by
its action is expected to restrain a further development of the bacilli.
It is therefore clearly of the first importance to apply the treatment in the earliest
possible stage of the disease before any great numbers of the bacilli have developed
and before any large quantities of the toxine have been produced in the system.
When Dr. Yersin commenced his operations in Bombay, he extended the treat-
ment to all classes of patients in every part of the city, so that it was impossible for
any one but himself to compare his results. He communicated them to the Com-
mittee according to the accompanying statement, and they fell far short of the
expectations and hopes of the public and of the medical profession.
Statement of Cases treated by Dr. Yersin s anti-plague serum.
17 cases treated on 1st   day of illness
Cured 15 
Mortality...    12 per cent.

Died    2

17            „              2nd           
Cured 11 
...         „     ... 35 per cent. 

Died      6

12            „              3rd            ,,
Cured    6 
...         „     ... 50 per cent. 

Died      6

3     ,,                      4th            
 Cured    1               
...         „     ... 66 Per cent. 

Died     2

1            „              5th             ,,
Cured  


Died      1 

Total of 50 cases treated
Cured   23 
...         „     ... 34 per cent.

Died   17


Cases treated classed by Nationality.
2 European
Cured     ...    2 
Mortality                   Nil

Died             ...   

9 Eurasians
Cured     ...    5 
...               44 per cent.

Died      ...    4

23 Hindus
Cured    ... 13 
...                43 per cent.

Died      ... 10

7 Mahomedans....
Cured    ...    5 
...                 28 per cent.

Died      ...    2

10 Parsees   ... 
Cured     ...   9 
...                10 per cent.

Died     ...    1       

	
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