146 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY AND 



are applied — in fact, if they were all collected and totalled 

 into one and placed against the antidotal and protective 

 elements of Nature — one wonders what the ratio would 

 work out at as regards their respective curative values. 

 We would be inclined to place the therapeutic value very 

 low indeed, and this fact must never be overlooked in what- 

 ever line of therapeutic action we like to take up. 



In short, how far can antizymotics be pushed in the 

 supposed attempt to destroy bacteria circulating in the 

 blood or incubating on the respiratory mucosae, and 

 leave the leucocytes active and intact ? Or to .what 

 extent does the inhalation of antiseptic vapours limit 

 the destructive processes of bacteria located in the respi- 

 ratory mucosas, or retard their rapid development ? One 

 must confess those orthodox means are futile — nay, more, 

 if they are pushed too far, they may become elements of 

 positive harm, hastening on the retrogressive changes which 

 lead to dissolution. 



We must, then, fall back upon the protective antibodies 

 of the blood to supply our antidotal remedies, and the 

 more we foster and stimulate them, the more likely we are 

 to effect recoveries. 



Pneumonia. 



Every practitioner knows the orthodox treatment of a 

 severe case of pneumonia is far from satisfactory. 



There are no specific drugs upon whose value we should 

 like to greatly rely, and after attending to the patient's 

 comfort, sustaining him with nutrients to give him 

 strength to face the crisis, and placing him in good hygienic 

 surroundings, we are practically at the end of our resources, 

 and have to fall back upon the vis medicatrix naturw. 



In practice we find pneumonia occurring as a complica- 

 tion to such bacterial diseases as strangles and influenza, 

 or it may be seen as an independent and primary condition. 

 Again, we may find a single isolated case in the stud, or 

 several may become affected ; but whatever type the disease 



