Abstract
For some years one of us (C.W.J.) has been actively interested in the study of natural resistance to infectious diseases, particularly in relation to poliomyelitis. This work has brought to light certain evidence which argues against the concept of universal latent immunization and favors acceptance of the view that the mechanism of natural resistance to this disease is purely physiological, depending essentially upon the function of the normal endocrine balance. While it is obviously very difficult in a problem as fundamental as this to determine precisely the particular rôle played by any one of the several glands of internal secretion, some experimental facts pointed very definitely to the significance of the anterior pituitary and the adrenal. It was also found that there existed a peculiar relationship between resistance to diphtheria and to poliomyelitis, suggesting the operation of a common protective factor in both diseases.
Meanwhile, the other author (R.L.Z.), on the basis of blood chemical and other studies, had been led to the belief that the adrenal cortex was involved in the course and regulation of metabolic and toxic demands on bodily resistance. This paper presents the first phase of a joint research program designed to correlate the mechanism of natural resistance in some infectious diseases, particularly diphtheria and poliomyelitis, with adrenal function.
Implication of the adrenal in diphtheria is suggested by a great many diverse observations. It is a well established fact that the adrenal glands of susceptible animals suffer heavily in this intoxication and that the natural insusceptibility of the rat to diphtheria and other bacterial toxins can be broken down by bilateral adrenalectomy. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6
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