[Development of I.I.Mechnikov's ideas in the field of immunology]

I. I. Mechnikov's contribution to the development of medicine in our country and in the world is analyzed. The historical development of the basic ideas of the theory of phagocytosis, which has won general recognition in the world and greatly influenced the development of modern immunology, is retraced. The problems of the specific prophylaxis of viral and bacterial diseases are considered and the prospects of the active regulation of immunity are outlined.