THEORIES OF IMMUNITY. 



pathogenic action. The phagocytes act by 

 virtue of their vital properties and the power of 

 exerting a fermentative action on the morbific 

 agents. . . . 



* 



This is a brief statement of the position of 

 Metchnikoff's theory of Immunity, by which the 

 facts seen are supposed to be due in large part 

 to the vital activity of the mesodermic cells, 

 which have retained their power of englobing 

 and digesting foreign substances. The full 

 details can of course only be obtained by a 

 study of his book upon Immunity, in which may 

 be found a most complete summary of the work 

 done, with the interpretation of the results from 

 his point of view. 



39 



