Invited Editorial Comment

A general evaluation of the hyposensitizing treatment of allergic disease is fraught with many a dilemma. On the one hand, in certain settings the decision for and implementation of this type of treatment can be as simple and unchallengable as is treatment of streptococcal infection with penicillin. On the other hand, the great number of patients who have received immense benefit from this treatment can probably be matched by an equal number of hapless victims for whom injection treatment has presented nothing but a source of pain, financial loss, and potential hazard. An estimated 10% of the population of this country is suffering from allergic disease, and the roughly 500 board certified allergists of America cannot begin to offer competent treatment for all of them. Only continuous educational efforts in medical schools, postgraduate courses, and in the literature can bring the necessary insight and competence to the front line of