Toxin

In its widest sense, this term may denote any poison or toxicant; but as used in pathology and medical jurisprudence it signifies, in general, any diffusible alka-loidal substance (as, the ptomaines, abrin, brucin or serpent venoms), and in particular the poisonous products of pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria. Anti-toxin. A product of pathogenic bacteria which, In sufficient quantities, will neutralise the toxin or poisonous product of the same bacteria. In therapeutics, A preventive remedy (administered by inoculation) against the effect of certain kinds of toxins, venoms, and disease-germs, obtained from the blood of on animal which has previously been treated with repeated minute injections of the particular poison or germ to be neutralized.

— Toxicomania. An excessive addiction to the use of toxic or poisonous drugs or other substances; a form of mania or affective insanity characterized by an irresistible impulse to indulgence in opium, cocaine, chional, alcohol, etc.

— Toxiphobia. Morbid dread of being poisoned ; a form of insanity manifesting itself by an excessive and unfounded apprehension of death by poison.