138 RKVIKW OF RECENT RESEARCHES 



rely, in these investigations, upon one particular 

 boiled organ. The great advantage of the whole 

 method of investigation is the fact, that it is possible 

 to make each case absolutely sure by means of control 

 experiments. Placenta, for instance, can always be 

 tested by means of serum from definitely non- 

 pregnant individuals, as well as from males. Further, 

 all kinds of organs should be subjected in turn to 

 the action of a particular serum. 



The sero-diagnosis of pregnancy has been recentlv 

 employed with success by numerous scientists. 12 

 While many observers agree with our point of view, 

 that the defensive ferments which appear during 

 pregnancy are directed against the albumen of 

 placenta, other authors are of the opinion that no 

 strictly specific action exists. But surely positive 

 facts have more value than negative ones. 



We are so strongly persuaded, from our own ex- 

 periences, of the certainty of our methods, that we do 

 not hesitate to demand that no one should deal with 

 pathological cases by means of the dialysation 

 method and the optical method, who has not given 

 evidence of having been able to produce 100 per cent, 

 of correct diagnoses from pregnant, and particularly 

 from non-pregnant, individuals, using placenta as 

 his substrate. Should the technique of the student be 



12 See list of literature. 



