In 1890, Emil von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato developed antitoxin serum therapy for diphtheria, marking the beginning of a new era in serum therapy. This breakthrough significantly improved treatment for diphtheria, a major childhood killer at the time, and demonstrated the potential of immunology in medicine. Their work laid the foundation for future advancements in vaccine development and the treatment of infectious diseases.

The introduction of diphtheria antitoxin in 1890 transformed family life and medical trust, themes that resonated in late 19th-century literature. Poets explored the emotional landscape of illness and recovery, capturing the complexities of love, loss, and hope in their works.