THEORETICAL DEDUCTIONS 187 



different doses. Where several grams of serum or of peptone 

 will be needed, a few hundredths of a milligram of bacterial 

 bodies will suffice; several grams of atoxyl or of arseno- 

 phenylglycin will produce the same effect as a few decigrams 

 of luargol. 



In order to cause a minimum of harmful result and at 

 the same time a maximum of curative result, we must there- 

 fore look for the most selective products for each particular 

 case, or rather groups of antigens for those groups of diseases 

 which present a group of characteristics in common. 



It would thus be very important to prefer heterogeneous 

 curative antigens to specific antigens whenever possible on 

 condition that they be very selective, because in this way we 

 will avoid the reinforcement of the existing state of immunity- 

 anaphylaxis, and the small doses of heterogeneous antigen 

 will not cause the formation of a new immunity-anaphylaxis. 



THEORETICAL DEDUCTIONS. 



1. Disease, no matter what its nature and its manifesta- 

 tions is always the result of the breaking-down of the normal 

 nutritive equilibrium of certain cells. This breakdown of 

 equilibrium, resulting in characteristic lesions and symptoms 

 for each disease may have as origin: 



(a) Either crystalloid chemical poisons which fix them- 

 selves directly on the cellular matter and modify its com- 

 position and its reactions. 



(b) Or antigens which bring about the passage into the 

 blood of antibodies in excess and oblige certain cells to per- 

 form greater work to the detriment of their normal functions; 



(c) A direct excitation of certain nerve centers by a poison, 

 an antigen or an emotion. 



Pathologic manifestations will always result from the reflex 

 reactions of the nerve centers. 



2. Most, if not all, non-contagious chronic diseases, as 

 well as idiosyncrasies, have as primary cause antigens of 

 intestinal origin; as determining cause, the anaphylactic 

 state of certain tissues; as "exciting" causes, the reflexes of 

 the nerve centers. 



