ANAPHYLAXIS 181 



After this, absorption takes place, and with it there 

 is a synthesis, or rearrangement, of the molecule 

 whereby it is built up into the specific proteid of 

 the body. Under normal conditions it is im- 

 possible to produce specific antibodies by feeding 

 alien proteid. Precipitins have, however, been pro- 

 duced by overfeeding animals with large quantities 

 of alien blood. When proteid is introduced par en- 

 ter ally it gives rise to the formation of specific 

 antibodies, and thus to the state of anaphylaxis. 

 The term anaphylaxis is unfortunate, for the con- 

 dition is not always opposed to immunity. Von 

 Pirquet, it will be remembered, called attention to 

 the altered reactivity during the anaphy lactic state. 

 We must not lose sight of the fact that the symp- 

 toms of anaphylaxis are brought on when sensitized 

 animals are subsequently injected with relatively 

 large quantities of the same proteid. Following 

 such an injection there is a sudden liberation of 

 large amounts of toxic material. The parenteral 

 introduction of large quantities of alien proteid 

 must, however, be very exceptional under natural 

 conditions. The number of bacteria primarily 

 involved in an infection certainly represents but a 

 very small amount of alien proteid. If the body is 

 in the condition of allergy (anaphylaxis) at the 

 time of infection it will be able to respond more 

 quickly than otherwise and perhaps destroy the 

 invaders. Under these circumstances it is con- 



