14 FOREWORD 



get cumulative and optimum therapeutic effects a principle of 

 great theoretical interest in the light of the Proteomorphic 

 Theory, and of fundamental importance in the practical admin- 

 istration of non-specific protein therapy. 



In the succeeding pages the proteantigens chiefly referred to 

 are Proteals of various types. These non-toxic vegetable pro- 

 teins, as prepared in my private laboratory, are the agents with 

 which the wide therapeutic possibilities of non-specific protein 

 therapy and the essentials of the physiological response on which 

 these possibilities are conditioned have been demonstrated in 

 my hands and in the hands of associated physicians in various 

 parts of the world. Full details as to the perfected methods of 

 preparation of the Proteals hitherto used in my laboratory are 

 given in the concluding chapter of the present book. 



How THE PROTEALS ARE PREPARED 



It is desirable to call attention here to the fact that two dif- 

 ferent types of protein extracts have been used, one containing 

 the unbroken protein molecule, the other proteins partially hydro- 

 lyzed. The former were used almost exclusively until late in the 

 year 1916. It will be well to recall that the results attained up 

 to that time (and in particular the blood observations recorded) 

 are ascribable to the unbroken protein molecule. 



The essential procedure consists of the extraction of the pro- 

 tein from the ground seed or other vegetable substance with a 

 salt solution ; precipitation of the protein from this solution with 

 hydrochloric or acetic acid ; washing with distilled water ; and 

 the redissolving of the relatively pure protein with sodium hy- 

 droxide. The final solution is standardized by testing for nitro- 

 gen, so that as ultimately used it contains two per cent, protein, 

 this percentage, however, being modified in various experimental 

 tests. The solution, being kept slightly alkaline, can be sterilized 

 by heat after sealing the ampules in which it is placed for safe 

 and convenient subsequent handling. 



The proteins thus preserved will, of course, be quite inert if 

 given by the mouth. Administered hypodermically in doses of 

 from ten to sixty minims the effects are striking and charac- 

 teristic. They include a certain amount of local erythema at 

 the point of injection ; a feeling of giddiness ; nausea, malaise, 

 rise of temperature, and a more or less pronounced chill. 



These familiar anaphylactic symptoms vary in their intensity 

 with different patients, and are not produced in the same degree 

 by different proteins. The protein of rape seed, for example, 

 produces a much less severe general reaction than the protein of 

 alfalfa seed. 



