138 IMMUNOLOGY 



duced fatal infection in rabbits. We are, however, convinced that 

 the presence of antibodies intimately associated Avith the tissue 

 cells is of prime importance as an adjunct to cells of the reticulo- 

 endothelial system in resistance. In immune animals the an- 

 amnestic reaction may lead to an increase of tissue antibodies 

 even though they are not in delectable amounts in tlie blood. 



Defensive Mechanisms in Peritonitis. — One of tlu' pathological 

 states in the human thai frequently results in generalized infection 

 and an overwhelming toxemia is peritonitis. Hertzlcr's (1919) 

 extensive and very valuable study of the anatomy, physiology, 

 pathology and defensive mechanism of the peritoneum deserves 

 every medical student's attention. He found by experiment that 

 isotonic solutions and particulate matter injected into the normal 

 peritoneal cavity were rapidl}' absorbed directly into the blood, 

 although he does not deny that absorption by way of the lymphatics 

 occurs. Absorption is delayed when the intraabdominal pressure 

 is sufficient to interfere with venous flow. Tympanitis may there- 

 fore be of value in retarding absorption. He calls attention to 

 the possibility of increasing absorption from the peritoneal cavity 

 in such cases when the intraabdominal pressure is reduced too 

 rapidly. If he produced an inflammatory exudate of the perito- 

 neum before injecting fluid or particulate matter into the cavity, 

 absorption was retarded or prevented. 



He discusses the method of formation and the importance of 

 temporary adhesions in limiting the spread of infection within the 

 abdomen. In regard to the nature of the cellular response in 

 peritonitis he states that neutrophiles predominate for a period, 

 and if the infection is being successfully cliecked, mononuclear 

 cells make their appearance. On the other hand, "when patches 

 of viable and degenerated leucocytes coexist, an advancing con- 

 dition may be assumed." 



Altemeier and Jones* (1940) report an inteiesting comparison 

 of postoperative results in fifty-one consecutive cases of resection 

 for carcinoma of the rectum and sigmoid reported by Pratt and 

 a series of experiments on experimental peritonitis in rabbits which 

 they conducted. It was noted that the al)sence of postoperative 

 peritonitis in the cases reported by Pratt apparently correlated 

 with preoperative high voltage roentgen therapy one month to six 

 weeks previous to operation. An investigation of the effect of such 



*Altemeier, W. A., anrl .Jone.s, H. C. : Kxporimental Peritnniti.=!, J. A. M. A. 

 114: 27, 1940. 



