A SERIES of trustworthy investigations indicates that distribution of trachoma virus is confined to the epithelial layer of the conjunctiva.* Nevertheless, the significant clinical change in trachoma is subepithelial inflammation, e. g., follicle formation and cellular infiltration. In addition, in the acute stage of infection there is often the association of a preauricular adenopathy. Might these changes not be incurred by a toxin or toxin-like substance produced by the trachoma virus? On the other hand, a toxin or a similar factor has been demonstrated in related viruses, namely, the viruses of psittacosis and lymphogranuloma venereum. The problem as to whether trachoma virus produces a toxin or like substance may, therefore, be worthy of investigation.
DESIGN OF THE EXPERIMENT
Conjunctival matter from trachoma cases with a great number of inclusion bodies no doubt contains trachoma virus in high concentration. If a soluble toxin or toxin-like substance is being produced by the