EXPERIMENTAL HYPERSENSITIVITY OF MUCOUS MEMBRANES OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT

The problem of the "allergic mucous membrane" constantly confronts the rhinologist. Many of the properties of the mucous membrane are poorly understood, such as its susceptibility to infection and how important a factor bacterial hypersensitivity is. Preliminary to an experimental investigation of some of these relatively complicated problems, means and methods of sensitizing the mucous membrane were studied. The purpose of this report is to present the results of our observations on experimental sensitization of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Several investigators have reported successful sensitization of mucous membranes by local applications or by injections of an antigen or antibody.1Our experiments disclose that the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract can be readily sensitized by various indirect routes. Moreover, animals can be systemically sensitized through the mucous membrane of the sinus, the mucous membrane being left intact. METHODS Half-grown white rabbits weighing from 1 to