[Changes in the progress of infectious diseases caused by changes of natural resistance and of the steroid metabolism (author's transl)].

It is demonstrated that it is possible to change the stereotyped reaction of the steroid metabolism to infection by means of external influences. The progress of infectious diseases can be detoriated and the average duration of life can be shortened by rearing a special strain of test rabbits or by lack of protein in the diet, by blocking the RES, by cortisol, estradiol and thyroxin, by glucose and by polyvinylpyridin-N-oxid. - The time of survival is prolonged by testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and cyproterone, also by cystein, aristolochia acid and treatment with pyrifer. - No effect whatever on the progress of an infectious disease is produced by the vitamines A, B1, B6, D, E and especially ascorbinic acid, also an extract of thymus gland, spleen, insulin, a preparation with STH, and Norgestrel, DMSO and treatment with B, bifidum and with omnadin.