ON SPECIFIC THERAPEUTICS. 13 



present in the organs which are sensitive to the 

 action of the poison. Here a relative immunity 

 exists, and the possibility of infection depends 

 chiefly upon the manner in which the poison is 

 introduced (the conditions for antibody forma- 

 tion are present, and those for immunisation 

 are more or less favourable). 



(4) In which the receptors are present only 

 in the organs which are sensitive to the poison ; 

 in this case the organism is exceedingly sensitive 

 to the poison (antibody formation is possible ; 

 but immunisation is difficult to carry out, and 

 must be begun with small doses, or with 

 weakened poisons). 



I think that this systematic division clearly 

 shows the possibilities of distribution and 

 localisation, as well as the conditions under 

 which a poisonous action can take place, and 

 what must be the aim of antitoxic treatment, 

 viz., the alteration of the natural conditions of 

 distribution and the interference with the action 

 of the poison. 



In my view, which is based on extensive 

 experience in experimental research, the anti- 

 toxins are purely and simply receptors fitted for 

 union with the poisons which have entered the 

 circulation. When, for therapeutic or prophy- 



