VACCINE-THERAPY 117 



about the tenth hour, which, of course, is earlier than with 

 mallein or tuberculin. 



They are hopeful also the vaccine may possess curative 

 virtues as well, but on this point further investigation 

 appears to be necessary. 



Peritonitis. 



The peritoneum forms in itself an admirable breeding- 

 ground for many bacteria, and probably none grow more 

 luxuriantly than the bacillus of tubercle, especially on the 

 bovine peritoneum. 



Bacteria gain entrance to the peritoneum in a variety of 

 ways. 



The B. coll, existing as it does in the intestines, often 

 finds it way into the peritoneal cavity through abrasions 

 in the intestinal wall, commonly due to the bursting of an 

 abscess, the penetrating effects of intestinal parasites, 

 migration from the womb in endometritis, injuries from 

 without, etc. When they escape from the intestines they 

 multiply with great rapidity, forming toxins which, by 

 reason of the physiological functions of the peritoneal 

 membrane, become readily absorbed into the circulation, 

 producing intoxication, infection, and death. It is obvious 

 in these very acute cases vaccine-therapy will avail little, 

 and, for that matter, any other system of treatment. 



When, however, the condition becomes circumscribed 

 and subacute or chronic in contra-distinction to diffused 

 and acute, if the case can be so diagnosed, much good 

 will follow vaccine treatment, and the peritoneum par- 

 ticularly lends itself to such therapy by reason of the fact 

 that it is continually bathed by a process of osmosis with 

 the blood-serum, which contains the protective elements of 

 the blood. Of course, here Ave find limitations compared 

 with human medicine and surgery, but it sometimes 

 happens, particularly in the smaller animals, abdominal 

 surgery is performed, when we have developed a plastic 

 entero-peritonitis due to the B. coli perhaps. The system 



