Irving Gray

STUDIES IN MUCOUS MEMBRANE HYPERSENSITIVENESS. IV. THE ALLERGIC REACTION IN THE PASSIVELY SENSITIZED MUCOUS MEMBRANES OF THE ILEUM AND COLON IN HUMANS

Excerpt In a previous communication1the allergic reactions, occurring in the passively sensitized mucous membranes of the stomach, ileum and colon of the Rhesus monkey, were described. Edema, hyper...

Studies in mucous membrane hypersensitiveness: III. The allergic reaction of the passively sensitized rectal mucous membrane

1. The rectal mucous membrane can be passively and locally sensitized with human reagin-bearing sera. 2. The allergic reaction can be induced by either the oral or the rectal administration of the antigen. 3. The allergic reaction consists of edema, hyperemia, and increased mucous secretion. 4. Subjective symptoms, such as pruritis, burning, a sense of fullness, and a desire to empty the bowel, are commonly associated with the allergic reaction and vary with its location. 5. The allergic reaction in the sensitized mucous membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract may be induced by antigen which is in direct contact with it or by absorbed antigen which reaches it via the circulation or by both.

Studies in Absorption of Undigested Proteins in Human Beings

Summary A technic for the demonstration of the absorption of undigested protein in human beings is presented in detail. In contradistinction to all previous immunological methods employed in human beings for the same purpose, this test is a direct one, and is performed on the subject himself. It employs the principle of passive local sensitization as its basis. By the intradermal injection of serum, taken from certain fish or egg hypersensitive cases, it is possible to passively locally sensitize an individual to these proteins. Upon the ingestion of such proteins, under proper circumstances, a wheal develops at the sensitized area, which has been proved to indicate the absorption into the circulation of these proteins in an undigested form. The individual steps in the technic and the factors affecting them have been discussed at length. The advantages and limitations of the procedure have been reviewed. The fact that the reaction occurs in most individuals when physiological amounts of fish and egg protein are taken under physiological circumstances, indicates that the absorption of these undigested proteins is a normal phenomenon.

AURICULAR FLUTTER WITH AURICULOVENTRICULAR HEART BLOCK

Excerpt Experimental auricular flutter was first produced in dogs by MacWilliam,1in 1887. Since the introduction of the string galvanometer this abnormality has been recognized frequently in man. T...

Studies in absorption of undigested protein in human beings: vii. absorption of protein introduced by tube into the duodenum

1. Following the intra-duodenal administration of a peanut test meal, the rate of absorption of unaltered peanut protein is more rapid by several minutes than the rate following its oral consumption. 2. In patients with gastric hyperacidity the absorption rate from the duodenum is not as rapid as in those with normal gastric acidity. 3. In patients with gastric hypoacidity the absorption rate from the duodenum is more rapid than in patients with normal gastric acidity.

Lead poisoning: IX. The failure of lead poisoning to affect the heart and blood vessels

Abstract A variety of studies were performed in 340 patients who had lead poisoning. These patients were observed at various intervals over a period of ten years. Special studies including the cardiovascular and the peripheral vascular systems as well as renal function studies were made in a selected group of forty patients who had pronounced clinical symptoms of acute lead poisoning and who in some instances had pronounced and disabling neurological complications. Studies of the peripheral vascular system did not reveal any findings to indicate any state of vascular spasm or any other change in the peripheral vessels. The size of the heart was not abnormal as ascertained either by physical examination or by teleroentgenography. There were no electrocardiographic abnormalities noted. In approximately 3 to 4 per cent of the entire group of 340 patients there was a hypertension, transient in nature, which was present for a brief interval during the acute episode of lead intoxication. This transient hypertension was evident during the height of the clinical symptoms and during the period of abnormal lead metabolism. The blood pressure in this group returned to normal following removal of the patient from the occupational hazard and remained normal. The blood pressure in the entire group was essentially the same as that usually present in similar age groups irrespective of occupation. On the basis of these investigations it is evident that the absorption of lead does not have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular or the peripheral vascular systems.

Diagnosis of occupational disease.

Excerpt The modern period of interest in occupational diseases had its inception following the epoch-making publication of Ramazzini in 1700.1In this comprehensive treatise were gathered the refere...