THE NONSPECIFIC REACTION 53 



A number of observers have claimed that the mere production of 

 a profuse perspiration will relieve arthritic symptoms and a variety 

 of therapeutic procedures have been elaborated which have as their 

 object the production of a sweat, either by applying external heat 

 or the administration of a variety of drugs. There seems little doubt 

 that many patients are relieved to some extent by such measures 

 but there is almost invariably a recurrence of the symptoms after 

 the sweating has stopped for 24 hours. The possible mechanism 

 that is involved in any therapeutic stimulation of the skin such as 

 occurs when the patient is sweated is discussed in the chapter on 

 the relation of the skin to internal diseases. 



Nausea and Vomiting. This is occasionally observed after rela- 

 tively large doses of vaccines or after particularly toxic strains of 

 bacteria. It is usually an indication that the dosage has been too 

 large or that the patient is particularly sensitive. The entire gastro- 

 intestinal tract will frequently show increased peristalsis. 



Palpable Spleen. Gow has observed that the spleen may become 

 palpable immediately after the reaction. 



Effect on Menstruation. Lux has observed that the menstrual 

 flow is augmented after nonspecific injections. 



Nervous Irritability. Kling showed some years ago that during 

 the period sensitization following on the injection of some protein 

 parenterally the nervous irritability of the animal was considerably 

 increased. 



Following nonspecific injections it has been found that a similar 

 alteration tales place but the effect on the threshold of the nerve 

 reaction is a diphasic one. There is for a short period following 

 the injection a lowering of the threshold for nerve stimuli, clinically 

 demonstrable by the increase in the pain, and the general hyperex- 

 citability. This is followed by a period of lessened susceptibility to 

 pain, somnolence, and the clinical manifestations of the marked euphoria 

 which has been commented on by almost every one who has had 

 experience with nonspecific therapy. Dollken, working with neuritides 

 has observed a similar reaction in the local effect on nerve tissues. 

 He found that after heterovaccine injections there would be a re- 

 sponse on the part of the lesion either in a negative sense increased 

 pain, etc., or as a positive phase analgesia and complete restitution 

 to normal in some instances. 



Herpes and Urticaria. Herpes has been observed to follow a num- 

 ber of intravenous injections. We have noted a labial herpes after use 

 of typhoid and colon vaccines (certain strains seem to be more prone 

 to produce herpes than others) . Auld has reported an occasional herpes 

 after intravenous injection of colloidal metals. Gow has observed such 

 eruptions after heterovaccination and they have also been reported 

 after milk injections. 



Urticarial eruptions are not so common. We have observed one 



