The Use of Rabbit Antipneumococcus Serum in the Treatment of Ulcus Serpens

For years the more commonly accepted methods of treatment of ulcus serpens have been chemical disinfection, curettage, cautery by physical or chemical means, and a variety of surgical measures. Specific serum therapy has never been widely acclaimed, those using it having reported indifferent results. Cheney1in 1922 voiced the opinion of most ophthalmologists by citing the failure of serum therapy on two counts: 1. In the majority of cases the pneumococci isolated from corneal ulcers were not suitable for serum therapy. At that time the only available potent antiserum was for the type I pneumococcus. In his series of twelve cases "group IV" pneumococci, for which no antiserum was available, were the usual organisms cultured. In reviewing the literature Newman2collected 131 cases of ulcus serpens. In only five was the condition caused by type I, and in ninety-seven it was caused by "group IV." 2. Owing to