NATURE OF ACTION OF KOCH ANTITOXIN

Described by Professor —* of Embryology and Anatomy,
School of Science, —* State College.

* When written, the Professor requested that his name be omitted due to concern for reprisal.

‘Glyoxylide’ and associated antitoxins act catalytically, yet the substances themselves are readily oxidized because of the unsaturated double bond linkages, and that is what makes them effective. In this latter respect, the substances differ from true catalysts and enzymes, which are not used up in the process of reaction. It appears as though these antitoxins are so to speak “highly combustible” in the metabolism of animals and their oxidation, therefore can occur at the low oxidative levels which obtain in the sick organism. By analogy, they would have a lower “‘kindling temperature.” And once these metabolites burst into “flame,” a great release of energy and radiation occurs which spreads like “wildfire” to toxic substances, which are then burned in their turn. This oxidation then continues from cell to cell in the body in all directions, from many centers of dispersal, operating like a continues fuse until the last cells are reached and all toxins of divers and sundry nature that are present, are at last oxidized and only then does this fuse flicker out. This would also explain the simultaneous remission from all diseases, as many as are presents for Koch antitoxin is no respecter of toxins, but is specific for toxins in a generic sense. This suggestion would appear to be consistent with Koch’s explanation for the character and origin of natural immunity, which devolves intermediary carbohydrate metabolism.

The various systems of healing have their own imaginary interpretation of a supposed “Law of Cure.” The Allopaths say “contraria contraria curantur,” which is the law of opposites; The Homeopaths say “similia similibus curantur,” which is the law of agreement; the Electics believe in “sanitive medication.”

To me the Koch Therapy appears not to be embraced under any of these hypothesis; the Koch Therapy is “sui generis” peculiar and without parallel. The Koch antitoxin seems to operate as a fuse— like adjunct to the “vis medicatrix naturae” itself since this antitoxin acts not on tissues, nor do the tissues act on it, but the antitoxin acts on the trouble-making toxins themselves—fluorescent substances which absorb high-level energy and release it at lower levels thereby robbing the cell of the energy to carry on normal metabolism; in this way through the availability of low energy, morbid cell physiology occurs arid symptoms of disease are made manifest. Koch’s antitoxin is excellent kindling; it readily oxidizes and the energy released is intense enough to reach the kindling temperatures so to speak of the resistant fluorescent and other toxic substances. To carry the analogy further, it takes a hotter metabolic flame to ignite magnesium metal than gasoline. This analogy cannot be carried too far, for it does not apply in detail. Metabolic oxidation is enzymatically controlled.