The use of antidiphterial serotherapy in Bologna in 1895. A pilot experience

It was the year 1894 and the international scientific community was experiencing a historic moment. It was around this time that Pasteur, Kock, L efler, Yersin and Behring discovered the microbiological causes of commonly occurring infectious diseases. In Bologna it was decided to eradicate the diphtheria epidemic which had claimed 152 victims, mainly children, the previous year by experimentally adopting specific serotherapy successfully applied in France shortly before. Supported by local government funding and with the aid of some enterprising local doctors, an efficacious serum was soon produced in Bologna. Good clinical results were obtained and production and sale costs were able to be considerably reduced. Little more than a century later, this is an example of applicative research where there is much still to be revealed.