Allergic states resulting from tuberculous infections give rise to cutaneous reactions to tuberculin which in different persons vary tremendously in size and severity. These variations presumably parallel the degree of hypersensitiveness which the infections induce in the various tissues of the body. In other words, the severity of a cutaneous reaction probably is more or less directly proportional to the degree to which the necrotizing tissue toxicity of tuberculin is enhanced in the individual case.
In order to obtain information concerning the relative toxicity of tuberculin for different persons, a study of the surface area of the cutaneous reactions to this material (supplied by the Saranac Lake Laboratories) was undertaken on a group of Lymanhurst children (ranging from 8 to 14 years of age) all of whom had positive reactions to the Mantoux tests and calcified intrathoracic lesions typical of primary tuberculosis demonstrable by roentgen examination. In this group no