INTEREST in scarlet fever immunization recently has been slight because of the present mildness of the disease and its favorable response to chemotherapy and antibiotic substances, and because the number of immunizing injections required has been large and not infrequently accompanied with general reactions. New types of antigens that require fewer injections and give only negligible reactions have reawakened interest in scarlet fever immunization.
The antigen used in this study was a refined, tannic acid–precipitated, aluminum hydroxide–resuspended scarlet fever streptococcus toxin U.S.P.1 that contains one-tenth the alum of alum-precipitated toxoids. This preparation is more stable than the material stabilized with pectin or acacia. Three injections of 0.1 cc. each were given at monthly intervals. The doses were as follows:
For children First 750 Second 3,000 Third 10,000 For adults First 500 Second 2,000