236 



APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY 



( Fig. 32 ) . In the conduct of therapeutic inocula- 

 tions it should be the purpose of the immunologist to 

 repeat the inoculation in the " positive phase " or as 

 the " ebb " begins. Extremely large inoculations or 

 reinoculations while the index is in the " negative 



Fig. 32. — Analysis of curve of opsonic indices. 



phase " result in an exaggeration and prolongation of 

 the " negative phase " which handicap the patient's 

 recuperative powers and may suffice to turn the tide 

 of battle against him. Inoculations repeated at the 

 correct time will still further raise the opsonic index 

 above the normal, until, as Nature resumes her work, 



