32 APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY 



cases will give rise to the various reactions. A similar 

 reaction of diagnostic value occurs in gonococcic in- 

 fection, a rise of temperature and other anaphylactic 

 symptoms following the injection of gonococcus bac- 

 terin in persons suffering from this infection. 

 Noguchi's luetin reaction in syphilis also is an anaphy- 

 lactic manifestation. 



Many of the phenomena of disease may be ex- 

 plained on the basis of anaphylactic or allergic phe- 

 nomena. As pointed out by von Pirquet, the incuba- 

 tion period of an infectious disease is the time required 

 by the body to form specific antibodies to the infecting 

 organism. The onset of symptoms marks the setting 

 free of the toxin, when the infecting organism is split 

 up by the specific antibody. Studies in anaphylaxis 

 have also furnished a very plausible explanation for 

 certain individual idiosyncrasies. It is probable that 

 hay fever and allied conditions are manifestations of 

 anaphylaxis. The persons susceptible to these idio- 

 sjmcrasies are probably sensitized by the pollen of 

 plants and other substances, so that they manifest 

 symptoms w^hen placed in contact with small quanti- 

 ties of this proteid. In the same way may be explained 

 idiosyncrasies to various articles of food, such as straw- 

 berries, pork, lobster, exposure to exhalation from 

 horses, etc. 



Certain precautions may be taken to avoid ana- 



