TOXIN. A specific bacterial poison whose absorption into the body causes an infectious dis ease. Though formerly used, as suggested by Brieger, to designate the poison members of the ptomaine group (see PTOMAINES) of bacterial bases, it was fortunately not so restricted. Tox ins are not albumins; they are not proteid bodies. It had been surmised that the symptoms present during diseases induced by microorganisms were due to the hasic poisons known as ptomaines. But after using in experiments these bases, it was learned that this was untrue. The ptomaines are not as potent as certain chemical products of the bacteria. Moreover, in the highly poisonous cultures of certain germs no ptomaines have been formed. This statement is true of diphtheria, as confirmed by Lcettler. 'Roux and Yersin, Brieger and Fr:MI:el. Some of these investigators estab lished the additional fact that the toxins are formed by synthetical processes, and not by splitting up the constituents of the culture medi um or those of the animal body. The germ ap parently constructs its toxin out of the com ponents of a harmless menstruum. In several specific infectious diseases special toxins have been isolated. Marmier extracted a specific toxin
from glycerin-peptone cultures of the anthrax which does not give the reactions of albuminoid substances nor change starch, sugar, or glycogen. Animals immune to anthrax bacil lus are immune to this toxin. Alkaline hypo chlorites. as well as prolonged isolation in the pres ence of air, destroys its efficacy. Animals may be immunized to anthrax if treated with care fully graduated doses of this toxin. This toxin is contained in the bacterial cells of anthrax and the culture must he so adapted that oppor tunity is offered for it to dian,e from the cells. Similarly, the presence of a toxin derived from the comma bacillus has been demonstrated in Asiatic cholera, as also a toxin in tetanus, theria. typhoid fever, and tuberculosis, while in suppuration the poisoning is due to toxin derived from the bacillus staphylococcus. Susotoxin has been isolated in hog cholera, and the toxin mullein or morvin is contained in the cell of the glanders bacterium. See ANTITOXIN; BAC1ERIA; IMMUNITY; and SERUM THERAPY.