Bactericidity
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Bactericidity refers to the ability of body juices and serums to kill microbes. This phenomenon was thoroughly studied by Buchner, who found that different serums possess varying bactericidal properties against different microbial species.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Bactericidity, the ability of juices and serums of the human or animal organism to kill microbes. The phenomenon of B. was particularly thoroughly elucidated by Buchner. Bactericidal properties are inherent to various serums to different degrees; at the same time, the same serum shows different strength against different microbial species. B. of serums is usually explained by the presence in them of special bactericidal substances. According to Ehrlich's theory of immunity, these substances are amboceptors present in immune serums of humans and animals and acting destructively on microbes. According to Bordet, they belong to substances of the "substance sensibilisatrice" group. These substances differ in thermostability and are not destroyed when serums are heated to 56° for half an hour. According to Buchner's old views, the bactericidal properties of normal serums are identified with the alexin (complement) of these serums.
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“Bactericidity.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/bactericidity/