Effect of Cortisone on Diphtheria Intoxication and the Schick Test in Guinea Pigs.∗

Summary 1. Cortisone did not affect the development of positive Schick reactions in non-immunized guinea pigs, 2. Cortisone did not prevent death, significantly increase survival time or prevent adrenal hemorrhages in guinea pigs given diphtheria toxin. 3. Cortisone did not interfere with the protective action of diphtheria antitoxin in guinea pigs given diphtheria toxin. 4. Cortisone had no direct neutralizing effect on diphtheria toxin in vitro.