THE MECHANISM OF THE ACTION OF AMBOCEPTORS. 215 



TABLE V. 



In contrast to the usual behavior we must assume that in the 

 case described the affinity of the complement has not suffered any con- 

 siderable decrease through the formation of complementoid. This is 

 supported also by an experiment which we made in order to deter- 

 mine the lowest temperature at which the anchoring of the com- 



(Proctocoll der k.k. Gesellschaft der Aerzte in Wien, Wiener klin. Wochenschrift, 

 1901, No. 51): 



"If an animal is injected with inactive serum of the same foreign species 

 instead of active serum, it is found that its serum likewise becomes charged 

 with anticomplement; proof that the alexin also like everything else in this 

 world contains a haptophore group and an active group, the latter this time 

 termed zymotoxic. As a result of the inactivation the zymotoxic group is 

 destroyed; the haptophore group remains intact. Hence a continuance of 

 the assimilation of complementoid and the production of the anticomplement. 

 So far, so good. Now, however, we come to a questionable point. If the 

 complement deprived of its zymotoxic group still possesses its haptophore 

 group, it must still be able to satisfy and bind its amboceptor. How then 

 does it happen that an inactivated antiserum again becomes lytic on the addi- 

 tion of suitable complement (active normal serum), a phenomenon which, 

 according to Ehrlich (despite Dr. Wechsberg), is due to the formation of lysin 

 from amboceptor and complement. If the ha-ptophore group of the amboceptor 

 has already been bound by the remains of the old complement, the 'comple- 

 mentoid,' it surely is unable to bind new complement. Hence by heating 

 (inactivating) the serum the haptophore group of the complement cannot 

 have remained unchanged; it must have completely lost its affinity for the 

 amboceptor. Now, gentlemen, I should like to know what is left of the com- 

 plement after this heating? The zymotoxic group is destroyed, the haptophore 

 group so changed that it is not recognizable. Nothing remains of the comple- 

 ment except Ehrlich's fervent wish that a little of it might be left, because other- 

 wise it would not harmonize with the theory! It is this wish that floats around 

 in the inactive serum under the name of complementoid." 



Thus far Gruber! I .shall refrain from any personal remarks for which the 



