486 Transactions. 



An interesting point in connection with, this serum showed that the 

 first specimens were frozen and examined two months later, when it was 

 found that the anticomplementary properties had disappeared. 



Specificity of the Wassermann Reaction.* 



In connection with the routine determination of the Wassermann 

 reaction, the blood-sera from fifty-nine patients suffering from malaria were 

 examined for the evidence of specific reaction to the Wassermann test. 

 It has been recorded by various observers that malarial subjects have 

 given a positive reaction. 



While a number of the fifty-nine patients from whom the blood-sera 

 was taken had either just had a rigor or were in the midst of one, and so 

 should, if malarial antibodies influenced the Wassermann reaction, have 

 been expected to show a positive test, yet the whole fifty-nine patients were 

 found to give a negative reaction. 



The influence of chloroform anaesthesia was also determined in a number 

 of cases, the blood being taken before, and at twelve and also at twenty- 

 four hours after, anaesthesia : in all cases the reactions were negative. 



* J. W. Marchildon, " Wassermann Reaction." 



