THEORIES OF IMMUNITY. 



Woch., 1890, no. 31, p. 690), and Hess (Yirch. 

 Arch., 1887, T. CIX., p. '665) were more inclined 

 to favor the theory, and Bibbert noted especially 

 that in the reactions produced by the staphylo- 

 cocci there was a modification of the phagocytic 

 action manifested by the collection of the leuco- 

 cytes about the bacteria — this collection acting 

 as a hurtful surrounding to the bacterium; 

 although Metchnikoff considers this preliminary 

 gathering as simply a first stage to the following 

 englobing and digestion of the bacterial cells by 

 the leucocytes. 



Some theories in opposition to the suggestions 

 of Metchnikoff were offered by the bacteriologists 

 interested in the subject, and according to 

 Metchnikoff the starting point of these theories 

 was the observation made by Fodor (Deut. Med. 

 Woch., 1886, p. 617; Arch. f. Hyg., 1886, T. IV., 

 p. 129) that the defibrinated blood of the rabbit 

 was able to destroy a large number of anthrax 

 bacilli. This was the first announcement of the 

 bactericidal property of the blood, and it was at 

 once concluded from it that the body-fluids con- 

 tained a substance capable of destroying bacteria, 

 and that this property was quite sufficiently 



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