CHAPTER VII. 

 THERAPEUTIC MEASURES. 



IN the evolution of pathologic states caused by actually 

 known antigens it is necessary to distinguish between a latent 

 state of anaphylaxis and an actual state of anaphylaxis. 



By latent anaphylaxis we mean that the organism is 

 surcharged with antibodies in excess as a result of the pre- 

 vious injections or ingestion of the antigen or as a result of 

 the periods of remission of those diseases with relapses and 

 with long and slow evolution such as tuberculosis, syphilis, 

 trypanosomiasis and malaria. Each time that a sufficient 

 quantity of antigen in fresh doses is joined with these anti- 

 bodies in excess more or less violent crises will occur. 



By actual anaphylaxis, we mean that the organism shows 

 symptoms of disease in which a state of anaphylactic crisis 

 is maintained on the one hand by the presence of new quan- 

 tities of antigens due to the multiplication of bacteria and 

 on the other hand by the continued formation of antibodies 

 on the part of the organism so that antibodies will always 

 be in excess. The formation of momentarily insoluble com- 

 pounds of antigens and antibody constitutes the pathologic 

 state of chronic anaphylactic crises. 



We know that we can abort a crisis or an anaphylactic 

 shock by anti-anaphylactic vaccination. According to 

 Besredka and Steinhardt and according to Al. Wright, cases 

 of definite anaphylaxis can often be treated successfully by 

 an identical method bacteriotherapy, that is to say, by 

 injections of small doses of antigen the cause of the disease. 



From the work of Besredka we know that preventive 

 vaccination is rigorously specific and for bacteriotherapy we 

 seek likewise to obtain curative preparations made with a 

 culture of the bacterial species which is the cause of the 

 infection or with the actual germs in the infection, "auto" 

 vaccines. 



