Significance of the Blood Chemical Changes in Pertussis

Important advances have been made in the study of whooping cough in recent years, along the lines of bacteriologic and serologic research. The etiologic relationship of the bacillus described by Bordet and Gengou has been more definitely established, and Bordet has applied his fundamental work in immunology to the development of a complement fixation test for the diagnosis of the disease, which may permit the recognition of the abortive, rudimentary or atypical forms. A vaccine prepared fromBacillus pertussishas been utilized in prophylaxis and treatment, but vaccine therapy has given such inconstant results that a considerable difference of opinion exists as to the curative value that it may possess. A mixed vaccine apparently has a definite prophylactic value against the bronchopulmonary complications. Recently, much interest has been aroused in the roentgen-ray treatment of the disease, described by Bowditch.¹Several favorable reports relative to its use were made at