PRODUCTION OF TETANUS IN GUINEA PIGS: BY SUBCUTANEOUS IMPLANTATION OF PELLETS CONTAMINATED WITH TETANUS SPORES

The administration of crystalline hormones by the subcutaneous implantation of compressed tablets or pellets, introduced by Deanesly and Parkes, 1 appears now to be an established clinical procedure when a prolonged uninterrupted action is desired. From the work of Deanesly and Parkes 2 and Thorn and his co-workers 3 it is apparent that this method of treatment will be greatly extended. The implantation into the subcutaneous tissue of a hard compressed pellet accidentally contaminated with Clostridium tetani followed by subsequent healing of the wound sets up practically an ideal focus for the development of tetanus. Fildes 4 and Russell 5 point out that the germination of tetanus spores is dependent chiefly on the oxidation-reduction potential of the tissues. Heated spores alone when injected into guinea pigs do not cause the development of tetanus, while the injection of spores mixed with sterile earth or calcium chloride results in the typical symptoms