Military medicine and bacteriology
Behring trained at Berlin’s Army Medical College and investigated infection and antitoxic effects during military service. He later worked in Robert Koch’s research environment, encountering experimental questions about diphtheria, tetanus and bacterial toxins.
References: [1]
Experiments with Kitasato
In 1890 Behring and Kitasato reported experiments on immunity to diphtheria and tetanus. Antitoxins in the blood of immunized animals could neutralize toxins and transfer protection to other animals. Serum therapy therefore used protective substances in blood rather than simply seeking chemicals that killed bacteria.
References: [1]
Diphtheria serum and recognition
Behring helped develop and produce diphtheria serum, while researchers including Paul Ehrlich advanced potency testing and standardization. The 1901 Nobel Prize recognized Behring’s contribution to serum therapy. He continued research at Marburg and died in 1917.