164 



PROTEIN THERAPY 



If we compare such a series as that of Holler (350 cases) with 

 its mortality rate of about % of 1%, to the statistics collected by 

 Vaughan it would seem reasonable to conclude that the nonspecific 

 method of therapy is, with reasonable precautions, rather more satis- 

 factory than the mere expectant treatment. 



Kibler and McBride noted that the immediate effects of the intra- 

 venous injection of the typhoid vaccine, such as chill, rise and fall 

 of temperature, leukocytosis, and changes in the concentration of 

 agglutinin and opsonin, usually in the direction of an increase, were 

 the same in the normal man as in the typhoid patient. Except so 

 far as they showed that leukocytosis is rather constant after the in- 

 jection of vaccine, they did not support any particular view advanced 

 to explain the action of intravenous injection of foreign protein in 

 infectious diseases. The number of cases observed (six) , possibly too 

 small to allow any conclusions as to the therapeutic effect of typhoid 

 vaccine in typhoid, seemed to correspond fairly well with the re- 

 sults obtained in larger series. 



Bacillus carriers have been treated with milk injections and with 

 intravenous typhoid (para) vaccine with satisfactory results. Kar- 

 rell and Luksch have employed milk, while Herz, using vaccine injec- 

 tions, was able to clear up 4 out of 5 patients. 



Discussion. A considerable number of observers have endeavored 

 to determine whether or not there is an increase in the amount of anti- 

 bodies in the serum which would 'account for the recovery of the patient 

 after nonspecific therapy. 



The general summary of the observations on this particular ques- 

 tion is that while such an increase may at times be demonstrated, it 

 is by no means a constant result of the injection and cannot there- 

 fore be identified as being the sole cause of the abortive recovery of 



