LEPROSY BACILLUS. 621 



cells of the posterior root ganglia. Their occur- 

 rence in these cells leads Metchnikoff to say that 

 the latter have phagocytic properties 



In view of the chronic course of leprosy and the Endotoxin < ? >- 

 absence of signs of intoxication over considerable 

 periods, it seems probable that the bacillus secretes 

 little or no soluble toxin. From time to time, how- 

 ever, patients with tubercular leprosy develop fever, 

 which may persist for weeks or months and event- 

 ually terminate in death. During such attacks 

 the nodules not infrequently enlarge, become soft 

 and later disappear. Lie conceives that such 

 periods represent massive infection of the blood 

 with the bacilli, and that at this time the latter 

 undergo extensive disintegration and liberate en- 

 docellular toxins to which the toxic phenomena are 

 due. It is a remarkable fact that intercurrent in- 

 fections, as measles and smallpox, and the adminis- 

 tration of potassium iodid, cause a similar enlarge- 

 ment, softening and final disappearance of leprous 

 nodules, accompanied by marked degenerative 

 changes in the bacilli. Hansen is of the opinion 

 that the fever induced by these conditions has an 

 actual curative effect, although its influence is not 

 readily analyzed. He quotes the opinion of Dan- 

 ielssen that potassium iodid may be used to deter- 

 mine the cure of leprosy, which would be indicated 

 by absence of a febrile reaction. 



General confidence is not felt in the "leprolin" 

 which Rost prepared from his cultures of the lep- 

 rosy bacillus (?). His cultures are said to have 

 been mixtures of micro-organisms. 



Because of the failure until recently to cultivate 

 the leprosy bacillus, experimental work with the 



