An experimental control of Fischer's attraxin-theory

Abstract

Fischer recently reported from Ribbert's laboratory 1 that by injecting a solution of Scharlach R, Sudan III or Indo-phenol in olive oil under the skin of the ears of rabbits he was able to get an epithelial proliferation which was not to be distinguished histologically from a squamous-celled carcinoma in man. He was not able to get this result with other substances acting as irritants, and therefore assumed the existence of specific bodies — attraxins — in the injected solution, which exerted a chemotactic influence on the epithelial cells.

His work has been repeated in this laboratory as nearly as was possible from the meagre description given of his technic. Three old and three young rabbits were injected under the skin of the ear with the Scharlach R-olive oil solution, and the injected tissue excised and examined at times varying from seven to sixty-one days. Our results show that the solution has absolutely no influence on the epithelial elements, but acts as a mild irritant, inducing a chronic inflammation with slight reaction on the part of the connective tissue in the case of the old rabbits, and a greater reaction with the formation of foreign body giant cells in the case of the young rabbits, the conclusion being that the attraxin theory is without sound foundation, in so far as “Scarlet-oil” is concerned.