immunity

(im-u’nit-e) [L. immu’ nit as]. The condition of being immune; security aganist any particular disease. See Ehrlich’s side-chain theory, under theory. acquired i., that which is due to a previous attack of the disease in question, or to an inoculation with an attenuated virus. active i., immunity ς by a person after recovery from infectious diseases. act i., that which is conferred by a recovery from a contagious disease. antibacterial i., antimierobic i., immunity against the action of bacteria. antitoxic i., immunity against toxins. artificial i. Same as pa ive 1. athreptic i., immunity due to the absence of a specific substance which is nece ary for growth of the infecting organism. bacteriolytic i. Same as anésbacterial i. Behring’s i. See Behring's method, under method. Colles’ i. See Colles’ law. congenital i., that which is due to some individual, inherited, or racial peculiarity. familial i., immunity occurring as a characteristic in certain families. inherent i., a natural inborn immunity. mixed i., acquired immunity. natural i., the immunity with which an individual is born. opsonic i., immunity due to the presence of opsonins which stimulate the phagocytic power by the leukocytes. pa ive i., that resulting from inoculation with an antitoxin or an attenuated virus. Profeta's i., immunity against syphilitic infection po e ed by some children of syphilitic parents. racial i., natural immunity po by all the members of a group of individuals. relative i., immunity due to lo of complement of the blood or to a le ened avidity of the body cells for the poison. specific i. Same as racial i.