358 BACTERIAL POISONS. 



These experiments are interesting not only as a possible 

 explanation of the cause of some of the autogenous fevers, 

 which will be discussed later, but in view of the present 

 tendency to inject such complex animal solutions as 

 BROWN-SQUARD'S elixir and KOCH'S lymph subcutaue- 

 ously, and they will probably cause us to exercise a little 

 more care in this direction. 



That certain febrile conditions are autogenous there can 

 be no doubt. These, like other diseases originating within 

 the system, may be due to either of the following causes : 



1. There may be an excessive formation of poisonous sub- 

 stances in the body. Thus, BOUCHARD has shown that 

 the urine excreted during the hours of activity is much 

 more poisonous than that excreted during the hours of rest. 

 Both physical and mental labor are accompanied by the 

 formation of these deleterious bodies, and if the hours of 

 labor are prolonged and those of rest shortened, there will 

 be an accumulation of effete matters within the system. 



2. The accumulation of the poisonous matters may be due 

 to deficient elimination. 3. Some organ whose duty it is 

 to change harmful into harmless bodies may fail to prop- 

 erly perform its functions. Illustrations of diseased con- 

 ditions arising from these several causes will be given. 



First, we may mention fatigue fever, which is by no 

 means uncommon, and from which the overworked physi- 

 cian not infrequently suffers. One works night and day 

 for some time ; elimination seems to proceed normally ; 

 but after a few days there is an elevation of temperature 

 of from one to three degrees, the appetite is impaired, and 

 then if the opportunity for rest is at hand sound and rest- 

 ful sleep is impossible. The tired man retires to his bed 

 expecting to fall asleep immediately, but he tosses from side 

 to side all night, or his sleep is fitful and unrefreshing. 

 The brain is excited and refuses to be at rest. The senses 

 are alert, and all efforts to sink them in repose are unavail- 

 ing. Fatigue fever is frequently observed in armies upon 

 forced marches, especially if the troops are young and un- 

 accustomed to service. Mosso has studied this fever in 



