TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLAXIS 25 



not exist as specifically toxic substances. They may be sub- 

 stances which induce the formation of anaphylatoxin. 



Should further investigation indicate that much of the toxic 

 effects in various infectious diseases are really produced by a 

 single substance, anaphylatoxin, the treatment of such diseases 

 will be revolutionized. In addition to the giving of drugs to de- 

 stroy the infecting organisms, an attempt must be made to find 

 an agent to destroy anaphylatoxin in the blood and to pre- 

 vent its further formation. Novy and De Kruif have shown 

 that, in test tubes at least, alkali not only destroys but also pre- 

 vents the further formation of this poison, and they suggest the 

 use of alkalis in the treatment of conditions in which anaphylaxis 

 may be playing a part. Already striking results have been 

 obtained in severe cases in which anaphylactic poisoning was 

 believed to exist, by the simple administration of sodium bi- 

 carbonate or sodium acetate in doses of from three to five grams 

 dissolved in about a half a glass of water, given at intervals of 

 half an hour to an hour. The object of this is to raise the alka- 

 linity of the blood to a maximum level and to keep it there during 

 the time anaphylatoxin is being formed. If confirmed by further 

 investigation, these facts must be looked upon as among the most 

 important discoveries in the entire history of medicine, and how 

 far reaching their effects may be cannot now be even guessed. 



