AUTOTHERAPY. 
537 
clean wounds the products of tissue change are the cause of 
wound fever. These toxic substances, these products of tissue 
change, etc., are in pus, and when autogenous pus is placed in the 
mouth it is these that make it more curative than the vaccine pre¬ 
pared by the method now in vogue. For healthy tissues tend to 
react and develop antibodies when toxic substances are placed 
in them whether it be by the mouth or under the skin. In pneu¬ 
monia, mix one part of the sputum to five parts of water; filter 
and inject as described elsewhere. The temperature dropped in 
every case where it was done within six hours. If the tempera¬ 
ture should rise again give another dose (20 m. is a dose). 
Ascites. Gilbert, in 1894, says : “ In case of pleural of peri¬ 
toneal effusions, small quantities (1 to 10 C. C.) of the serous 
fluid are aspirated and the needle is withdrawn as far as the sub¬ 
cutaneous tissue, where the fluid is injected. The usual result is 
diuresis and rapid absorption of the fluid.” No local reaction fol¬ 
lows and the fluid disappears in from three to four days. ( London 
Lancet , June 3, 1911.) 
A case that appears to illustrate the curative action of the toxic 
products of tissue change when taken by the mouth is as follows :f 
June 25th, 1911, f Paschal Romano was admitted to the Vol¬ 
unteer Hospital with a simple fracture of both bones of the left 
leg just below the knee A fracture box and cooling lotions were 
applied but at the end of three days, there was noticed a slight 
discoloration of the toes. This continued until there was marked 
gangrene of the foot. On Saturday evening there was a very 
faint discoloration up to the seat of the fracture. Amputation was 
refused till the following Monday. When seen on Monday, the 
discoloration had extended on the under side of the leg and thigh 
up to the crest of the ileum. Examination disclosed the fact that 
there were maggots in the foot. He was delirous: temperature 
105. 
t In reporting a case of this kind the writer hesitates and tries to picture to himself 
the attitude he would assume at hearing another physician report a similar case. He is 
frank to say he believes he would be incredulous. But facts are facts, and he reports 
them as he saw them. The internes and nurses of the Volunteer Hospital bear witness 
of its accuracy. 
