292 APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY 



must be cultured and recultured frequently for the 

 preparation of the correct autogenous bacterins. The 

 opsonic index will render service in the proper manage- 

 ment of the case. Although some benefit attends the 

 use of bacterins, the results are not brilliant, owing to 

 the poor drainage in these chronic conditions. 



Whooping-cough, — Although the bacillus of 

 Bordet-Gengou is generally admitted to be the cause 

 of pertussis, early in the attack, even before the second 

 week, other bacteria as M, catarrhalis, B, influenzce, 

 Pneumococcus and Streptococcus complicate the in- 

 fection. Sufficient data have been gathered to demon- 

 strate the value, prophylactically and therapeutically, 

 of mixed bacterins in this disease. Indeed the attacks 

 have not only been ameliorated but the period of con- 

 valescence shortened fifty per cent. 



Diseases of Aumentary System 



Pyorrhoea Alveolaris and Tonsillitis, — The or- 

 ganisms usually found include the Pneumococcus, 

 Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, M, catarrhalis, spiro- 

 chcetce, vibrios and Tubercle bacillus. The results of 

 bacterin therapy have not been such as to place it as 

 a recommendable procedure of any great moment in 

 these diseases, unless supplemented by adequate local 

 treatment, in the case of pyorrhoea alveolaris requir- 

 ing the cooperation of a dentist. Some form of the 

 streptococcus can be cultured in at least 75 per cent. 



