VACCINE-THERAPY 



81 



In some patients this phase is a prolonged one ; in others 

 it is of shorter duration. What the immunizer should 

 really aim at is to have the positive phase as long as possible, 

 and, of course, the negative phase very short in duration ; 

 this can largely be attained by using a suitable vaccine 

 and of proper dosage. 



In very acute affections, such as pneumonia, one cannot 

 have the negative phase too short, in which case it is 

 advisable to give a minimum dose at the outset ; this will 

 give a quick positive phase, and another larger dose should 

 then be given before the transient positive phase passes off. 



Fig. 34. 



Increased 



resistance 



-Chart showing the Effects of a Suitable Dose of 

 Vaccine. 



In some cases the period is not more than twelve to eighteen 

 hours. 



It is obvious, in dealing with an acute, depressing disease, 

 the vaccine will produce a very pronounced negative phase, 

 and the patient's resources between the two may be so 

 exhausted that dissolution will follow. This is naturally a 

 condition the immunizer wishes to ward against. 



It is therefore a wise axiom to follow : Never give a 

 maximum dose of vaccine in an acute disease with rapid pulse 

 and high temperature, remembering, if the temperature 

 is high, a full dose of vaccine will make it go still higher. 



The tracing given in Fig. 34 shows what really should take 

 place after a suitable dose of vaccine has been administered : 



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