8 
In order to obtain a deeper insight into anaphylaxis and its varied 
bearings, we consider that a study of the phenomenon itself is of 
first importance and we have been engaged upon this phase G f the 
subject since 1906.° These studies have mostly been made upon guinea 
pigs. 
We have, therefore, devoted most of our attention to a study of the 
intimate nature of the factors that make up the phenomenon of 
anaphylaxis, subordinating, for the time being, discussions of the 
theory of its mechanism or its practical application. 
INFLUENCE OF HYPNOTICS. 
Following the work of Besredka upon the influence of ether upon 
the development of anaphylaxis, Banzhaf and Famulener 6 reported 
interesting observations upon the prevention of anaphylaxis by the 
previous administration of chloral hydrate. They found that if 
sensitive guinea pigs be given large doses of chloral hydrate intra- 
muscularly, sufficient to render them completely narcotized, and then 
given an injection of serum, death from anaphylaxis was prevented 
in a large percentage of cases. 
Tins procedure appeared to us to be theoretically a very promising 
one. It has seemed to us, as well as to others, that death from 
anaphylaxis was due perhaps to an overstimulation of probably the 
respiratory center, and if the affected center could be so blunted that 
it would not respond to this extreme stimulation perhaps the animal 
might be tided over the critical period and recover. 
If this should be found to be true perhaps it would be of use when 
it is found necessary to administer antitoxin to persons suspected, 
before hand, of being susceptible to an injection of horse serum; as, 
for example, asthmatics or persons who experience discomfort when 
in the neighborhood of horses. 
We therefore made a number of experiments with various hyp- 
notics to determine their influence upon anaphylaxis. In one series 
we gave sensitive guinea pigs different amounts of urethane by the 
mouth and when the narcosis was complete they were tested for their 
susceptibility by an injection of horse serum. 
As will be seen from the table (Xo. 1), the urethane had but slight 
effect upon the subsequent development of anaphylaxis. 
a Rosenau, M. J., and Anderson, John F. : A study of the cause of sudden death fol- 
lowing the injection of horse serum. Hyg. Lab. Bui. No. 29, 1906. 
Further studies upon hypersusceptibility, Hyg. Lab. Bui. No. 36, 1907. 
Further studies upon anaphylaxis, Hyg. Lab. Bui. No. 45, 1908. 
&Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol, and Med., N. Y., vol. 5, 1908, p. 62. 
