W.C. Spain

A slowly absorbed gelatin-epinephrine mixture

Abstract 1. 1. The preparation of a 1:500 gelatin-epinephrine mixture is described. 2. 2. This preparation is slowly absorbed, nontoxic, nonantigenic, and readily administered by the patient. 3. 3. A sharp reduction in the daily number of required doses of epinephrine is noted when this preparation is substituted for the aqueous solution. A marked clinical improvement frequently results.

Comparative immunologic studies with salivary and epithelial extracts of the dog, cat, and rabbit

Abstract 1.1. A common antigenic factor has been shown to be present in epithelial and salivary extracts of the dog, cat, or rabbit by the following experiments: (1) direct skin tests on patients hypersensitive to animals; (2) neutralization point determinations on mixtures of sensitive serum and epithelial or salivary extracts; (3) studies of the reactions of guinea pig uteri sensitized to epithelial and salivary extracts. 2.2. The presence of a possible extra antigenic fraction in the salivary extract is discussed.

A slowly absorbed gelatin-pollen extract for the treatment of hay fever

Abstract 1.1. Gelatin, a slow absorption medium, was mixed with ragweed pollen extracts in an attempt to overcome difficulties encountered with the standard aqueous extracts. 2.2. A delay in absorption of the active ragweed substance of the gelatin-ragweed extract as compared to the aqueous ragweed extract was noted following subcutaneous injections at passive transfer sites in a series of normal nonsensitive adults. 3.3. A series of ninety-five adult patients suffering from ragweed hay fever symptoms were treated preseasonally with the gelatin-ragweed extracts. Another group of ninety-five adult patients were treated with the standard aqueous extracts during the same period. Twenty-two patients of the first group continued their treatment on a monthly basis during 1940 after having completed a course of preseasonal injections. 4.4. A greater tolerance for the ragweed-gelatin extract was noted; higher maximum dosages (often twice the amount attained with the aqueous extracts) were given with safety and with half the number of injections. 5.5. Constitutional reactions were milder and occurred infrequently. 6.6. More effective clinical relief was obtained following treatment with the gelatin-ragweed extracts. 7.7. An average dosage schedule for preseasonal treatment with gelatin-pollen extracts was determined. It was modified to suit the individuals tolerance. 8.8. The gelatin extract must be prepared according to the technique outlined if standard and satisfactory results are to be obtained. 9.9. At present the chief value of the gelatin extracts is in the treatment of hay fever patients so sensitive as to accept poorly the usual aqueous pollen therapy. 10.10. Further studies are in progress to determine whether the use of the more slowly absorbed gelatin extracts will result in a more sustained and lasting immunity.

The preparation of active allergenic extracts: A method for the prevention of pigmentary oxidative products

Abstract It has been possible, by the use of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate buffered solutions, to prepare active allergenic extracts with the complete elimination of pigmentary oxidative products. A larger amount of active material is extracted by use of a buffered sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate extracting fluid than with the regular extracting fluids now in use, when equal weight by volume extractions are made. These new extracts give the same skin and serum neutralization point tests as do the regular extracts of the same age. The buffered sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate extracts are being investigated over a longer period of time to determine whether or not they will be more stable than the extracts now in general use.

The effect of consecutive years of treatment upon cutaneous sensitiveness in late hay fever

Abstract A lessened degree of cutaneous sensitiveness may be demonstrated by intracutaneous test in cases of ragweed hay fever after three and four consecutive years of prophylactic treatment. With the greater number of years of treatment, the lessening of the degree of cutaneous sensitiveness is more definite. The change in cutaneous sensitiveness in these groups becomes more evident after the second consecutive year of treatment.

The treatment of hay fever with gelatin-pollen extracts☆

Abstract 1.1. A gelatin-pollen extract was prepared by combining the standard aqueous pollen extract with a gelatin mixture autoclaved at 20 pounds pressure for one and one-fourth hours. 2.2. This gelatin-pollen extract jells at 5° C., but is much less viscous at room temperature than the previously described gelatin mixture. It is, therefore, easier to handle in the hypodermic syringe and needle. 3.3. This improved gelatin-pollen extract shows the slow absorption rate characteristic of the previously reported gelatin-pollen extract. 4.4. The gelatin-pollen extract is especially useful for the treatment of patients so sensitive as to accept poorly the usual aqueous pollen therapy.

The total, free, and ester cholesterol content of the serum in hay fever and in asthma

Abstract Although there is a tendency for the total blood cholesterol to be slightly elevated above the average normal in patients with treated hay fever and slightly below normal in patients with treated asthma, the results lack significance from a statistical standpoint. In both groups, however, the per cent of free cholesterol in total cholesterol is definitely elevated above the average normal. The results in a smaller series of patients with hay fever and asthma before the institution of treatment were not unlike those observed for the treated groups.

Sputum cholesterol in bronchial asthma

Abstract 1.1. Cholesterol values on the sputa of fifty-one patients suffering from bronchial asthma ranged from 7 to 55 mg. per cent. 2.2. The amount of cholesterol varied with the severity of the clinical symptoms. 3.3. High sputum cholesterols were noted in the infective or skin-negative type of bronchial asthma (25 to 55 mg. per cent). 4.4. The total amount of cholesterol expectorated in twenty-four hours ranged from 1 to 10 milligrams.