104 ANAPHYLAXIS AND ANTI-ANAPHYLAXIS 



explain at the present day a large rlumber of pheno- 

 mena connected with infection and immunity that 

 have hitherto been enshrouded in obscurity." 



If we have considered it worth while discussing this 

 question in some httle detail, it is because eminent 

 bacteriologists have based, and are still basing, their 

 greatest hopes on the study of anaphylotoxins. 



Are we really in the presence of a discovery capable 

 of enlightening us upon the phenomena of anaphy- 

 laxis, and, in addition, upon those of infection and 

 immunity ? 



Such is not our opinion. In describing the pro- 

 perties of serous anaphylotoxin we mentioned the 

 curious fact that, though highly dangerous as an 

 intravenous injection, anaphylotoxin produces no 

 disturbance when injected beneath the dura mater. 

 Now, the cerebral route, as we have seen in the course 

 of this treatise, is to be preferred as the most efficient^ 

 and if anaphylotoxin were really what Friedberger 

 and his school think it to be — that is to say, the 

 anaphylactic poison — it is certain that the intra- 

 cerebral injection would soon have decided the matter 

 for us. 



The same reservations obtrude themselves upon 

 our notice when we look into the manner of preparing 

 anaphylotoxins. In Friedberger 's first conception, so 

 attractive at first sight, an anaphylotoxin is produced 

 by (i) the antigen encountering the antibody, and 

 (2) the normal serum of the body coming into play 

 and acting through its complement on the combina- 

 tion thus formed. 



Now, experience shews that one can deviate con- 

 siderably from this scheme and still obtain active 

 anaphylotoxins . 



Thus, the activity of the anaphylotoxin is the same, 

 if not more efficient, when the complement acts on the 

 precipitate, which has been heated to boiling-point. 



