180 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Hemolysins, cytotoxins, and precipitins, A. von Wasserman (Hdmolysine, 

 Zytotoxine und Prazipitine. Leipsic, 1910, rev. and enl. ed., pp. 124)- — This is 

 a revised and enlarged edition of this work, which deals with the hemolysins 

 of blood serum. Hemolysins of normal serum, Isolyslns and autolysius, ambo- 

 ceptors, complements, antlhemolysins, complement binding, hemaglutinins, and 

 the practical significance of the hemolysins are discussed by J. Leuchs, and 

 cytotoxins and precipitins by M. Wassermann. 



The influence of the reaction on the activity of hemolytic sera, P. Rondoni 

 (Ztschr. I)7munitatsf. u. Expt. Ther., I, Orig., 7 {1910), No. 5, pp. 51o-5.',3).— 

 The results Indicate that hemolysis and amboceptor formation can be inhibited 

 under certain conditions by sodium hydrate. Hydrochloric acid, on the other 

 hand, stlmuates hemolysis but inhibits amboce])tor formation, though to a lesser 

 degree than alkali. 



In regard to the methods used for detecting leucocytic bactericidal sub- 

 stances, A. Pettersson {Ztschr. Immunitdtsf. u. Expt. Ther., I, Orig., 7 {1910), 

 No. 6, pp. 693-701). — Contrary to the opinion of some that the leucocytes attack 

 only dead or dying bacteria, the author finds that the leucocytes in the animal 

 body are capable of destroying bacteria wliich have the capacity to propagate. 

 He points out, further, that the negative results which are obtained in vitro do 

 not warrant the conclusion that no bactericidal capacity exists, even in vivo. 



Guinea pig leucocytes were capable of destroying Bacillus subtilis without the 

 aid of the serum. 



About the theory of phagocytosis, I. G. Sawtchenko and V. A. Barykine 

 (Arch. Soi. Biol. [St. Petersb.], 15 {1910), No. 5, pp. ^ 18-427). —Only an alexin 

 of the same origin as the leucocyte favors phagocytosis. The alexins of other 

 species (except those of the horse) have a more or less inhibitory reaction. 



Antistreptococcic serum and streptococcic immunity, W. Zangemeisteb 

 {Berlin. Klin. Wchnschr., Jf7 {1910), No. J,3, pp. 1971-1973 ; al)S. in Chem. Ahs., 5 

 {1911), No. 2, p. 321). — "An attempt is made to explain the discrepancy between 

 the successful immunization of animals and the failure thus far of attempts at 

 a serum therapy [for] man in streptococcic infection. 



"That this is not referable to a difference in structure of amboceptor and com- 

 plement in man and in the lower animals the author regards as proved by the 

 following findings : Among a number of strains of streptococci, virulent for 

 man, more were found to be virulent also for animals than in a corresponding 

 number of strains nonvirulent for man ; mice were protected by a potent human 

 immune serum quite as well as by rabbit or horse serum. A potent immune 

 serum was successfully obtained from monkeys only in those cases in which 

 the animals survived a severe infection induced by repeated intravenous injec- 

 tions of large masses of living cocci. 



" Local infection was found unfavorable to the development of immunity, and 

 is to be regarded as a process differing essentially from the general systemic 

 reaction, which possibly explains the fact that no immunity results from strep- 

 tococcic infection in mnn. The author was able to obtain, however, in one case 

 of severe streptococcemia, a serum which protected mice against a thousand- 

 fold fatal dose of mouse- virulent streptococci. Normal serum, whether from 

 the same or different species, not only did not protect animals but even hastened 

 death. Injections of fresh normal human serum in man, on the other hand, 

 appeared to have a favorable effect in most cases." 



About the therapeutic value of beer yeast in staphylococcus and strepto- 

 coccus infections, W. Walzow and G. Sacharow {Med. Obozr. [Moscow], 71 

 {1909). No. 10, pp. 936-9^2; abs. in Hijg. Rundschau, 20 {1910), No. 20, p. 

 1107). — The use of beer yeast raises tlie opsonic index in the above-mentioned 



