The use of serum, specifically antiserum, in the treatment of blood poisoning (sepsis) has strong scientific validation and a historical precedent in medicine. Antiserum refers to blood serum containing polyclonal antibodies and is used to confer passive immunity to a variety of pathogens or toxins. The concept dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Emil von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato developed diphtheria antitoxin, which saved many lives. Antisera were also developed for other infectious diseases, including tetanus and various forms of bacteremia.

In the context of sepsis, the scientific rationale is that specific antitoxins or antibodies in the serum can neutralize bacterial toxins or facilitate the immune system’s clearance of pathogens from the bloodstream. Before the advent of antibiotics, antiserum was one of the only available treatments for severe infections and blood poisoning. While today the mainstay of sepsis treatment is prompt antibiotic therapy and supportive care, research into monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulin therapies continues, particularly for cases where antibiotic resistance or specific toxins are involved.

Therefore, the use of serum in treating blood poisoning is well-documented both historically and scientifically, although the specific types and roles of serotherapy have evolved with advances in modern medicine.