Is “Hay-fever” a correct description of diseases caused by allergic reactions to pollen

“Hay fever” is the comprehensive term for allergic pollen reactions. In allergen challenge tests with extracts of rye pollen (Secale cereale) either by inhalation or oral ingestion it could be shown with the thrombopenic index by Storck that pollen allergy is not only a reaction of the affected organ e.g. the eyes, the nose or the bronchi but a systemic immunological reaction of the total organism. Therefore, it is concluded that the term “hay fever” better demonstrates these general reactions than the term “pollinosis”. This should be included in the considerations of further research on allergic diseases.