AutotoxcBmia and Infection. 



529 



Fig. 2. — Man (adult). Photomicrograph of part of a Transverse Section through the 

 Posterior End of the Posterior Commissure, showing the Irregular Proximal 

 (posterior) part of the Mesoctelic Eecess. x 58. 



Fig, 3. — Man (adult). Pliotomicrograph of j^art of a Transverse Section through the 

 Posterior Part of the Posterior Commissure at a level slightly anterior to that 

 of the section represented in fig. 2, to show the terminal (anterior) portion of 

 the mesocoihc recess, with its characteristic columnar epithelium, x 300. 



Explanation of Lettering. 



b. v., blood vessels ; gl., globular bodies ; m. r., mesoco;lic recess ; p. c, posterior 

 commissure ; s.c. o., sub-commissural organ. 



AutotoxcBmia and Infection. 

 By E. C. HoRT, r.R.C.P. Ed., Assistant Physician to the Italian Hospital. 



(Communicated by William Osier, F.R.S. Received June 2, — 

 Read June 23, 1910.) 



The object of this communication is to show : — 



That fever,* loss of weight, and a rise in the antitryptic values of the 

 Llood serum, three results common to infection in man, can be reproduced 

 in animals by the subcutaneous injection of small quantities of distilled 

 water. 



Control Observations. 

 The following precautions were found to be necessary in order to demon- 

 strate these effects, apart from selection of healthy animals for injection, and 

 observance of strict aseptic conditions aa to site of injection, instruments 

 used, and water injected : — 



Fever. 



1. Selection and repe^ed testing of thermometers of guaranteed accuracy. 



2. Accurate approximation of the temperature of the water injected to the 

 temperature of the animal receiving the injection. 



3. Determination of the mean average, and of the upper normal limit of, 

 temperature of the .species of animal selected for injection. 



4 Demonstration that repeated handling and the taking of repeated 

 thermometric observations do not cause a rise of temperature in the control 

 animals. 



5. Demonstration that mere subcutaneous puncture, or injection of air 

 equivalent in bulk to the volumes of water injected, does not cause fever in 

 the control animals. 



By fever is here meant a rise of temperature, and nothing more. 



