706 ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION 



anaphylactic phenomenon and analogous to hay-fever. Specific treat- 

 ment with extracts of ivy, sumac, and other plants aims to desensitize 

 the patient or produce a condition of anti-anaphylaxis. Strickler, 

 working in my laboratory, has succeeded in the treatment of a number 

 of cases of severe ivy-poisoning; the extract is injected subcutaneously 

 and usually affords relief within twenty-four hours. As in hay-fever, 

 the desensitization is of short duration and the injections must be given 

 at short intervals. It is highly probable that a prolonged series of in- 

 jections will effectively and permanently desensitize. 



Ringworm. Strickler 1 has succeeded in treating ringworm of the 

 scalp with a polyvalent vaccine prepared of pure cultures of the ring- 

 worm fungus. Usually seven or more injections were necessary at in- 

 tervals of five to seven days. It would appear that this form of therapy 

 is of value as an adjuvant to local treatment of obstinate infections. 



Erysipelas. This infection is usually caused by the streptococcus 

 erysipelatis. In severe cases an autogenous vaccine of about 20,000,000 

 cocci per cubic centimeter may be administered every three or four days, 

 and frequently aids in reducing the severity of the inflammation and 

 overcoming mental unrest and physical discomfort. A vaccine may be 

 of aid in the treatment of subacute and chronic types of this disease. 

 Stock vaccines are of little or no value. 



GENITO-URINARY DISEASES 



Cystitis. Acute or subacute cystitis following catheterization after 

 labor or surgical operations or occurring in children is usually caused by 

 a member of the group of colon bacilli. It is highly essential, in order 

 to attain success with vaccine therapy, that urine be collected aseptically 

 and the causative microorganism secured and used in the preparation 

 of a vaccine, as stock vaccines are of little or no value. Exceptionally 

 the infection may be due to another microorganism, either alone or in 

 conjunction with Bacillus coli. Treatment with an autogenous vaccine 

 may be of distinct aid in lessening the symptoms and in reducing the 

 amount of pus. The initial adult dose of Bacillus coli vaccine should 

 be about from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 bacilli. In subacute cystitis 

 of the male, due to stricture of the urethra or enlarged prostate, or in the 

 female, due to perineal injuries, not much benefit follows its use until 

 the underlying cause is corrected or removed. 



Pyelitis. Pyelitis in children and adults is usually due to Bacillus 

 coli, and treatment with an autogenous bacterial vaccine has frequently 

 yielded good results. The urine used for culture must be obtained under 

 1 Jour. Cutan. Dis., March, 1915, 161. 



