Although the statement may seem somewhat sweeping, it is nevertheless a fact that a study of bronchial asthma has not yet been presented which might reasonably be viewed as conclusive. This must of necessity be true, because the asthmatic state has become so inextricably involved, not only with the question of anaphylaxis, but likewise with theories of desensitization. And since it is recognized that there is still lacking a thorough understanding of the phenomena of shock and sensitization— on which both anaphylaxis and desensitization have a bearing—the ultimate solution must still be sought.
The conviction that immunization to be effective must be carried out by specific means—largely the work of von Behring and Ehrlich—was somewhat shaken more than thirty years ago. It was then that the theory of nonspecific desensitization was first inaugurated.
This was accomplished through the work of Buchner, Römer, Kühne, Rumpf, Matthes, Bauer and numerous others, who,