ANTI-ENZYME IMMUNITY 313 



above experiments were repeated by Feldberg, Holden and Kellaway 

 (1938) with a highly purified lysolecithin. On the whole, the same 

 results were obtained as with the methyl alcoholic extract of the venom- 

 treated lecithin. 



In view of the important nature of these observations and their 

 possible similarity to the action of bacterial toxins, we quote here 

 the conclusions of the above studies as given by Feldberg and Kella- 

 way: 



"Conclusions. 1. The injection of cobra venom (2-20 mg.) into 

 perfused organs (lung, liver) of dogs and monkeys causes the appear- 

 ance in the venous perfusate of histamine, of protein and of a sub- 

 stance or substances which cause slow contraction and transient 

 changes in the excitability of the guinea pig's gut. In the case of the 

 liver, pigments are also set free. No histamine appears in the per- 

 fusate of envenomed monkey's liver, since this organ has a very low 

 histamine content. The changes in the venous perfusate from the 

 liver of dogs poisoned by intravenous injections of cobra venom are 

 similar to those observed when the venom is injected into the iso- 

 lated organ. 



"2. Histamine, protein and liver pigments are liberated from the 

 cells of perfused organs, but the substance (or substances) which 

 causes slow contraction of the gut and subsequent changes in its re- 

 activity is formed in the organs by the action of the venom. 



"3. This substance is present in large amounts in extracts of en- 

 venomed organs; it is soluble in absolute methyl alcohol and heat stable. 

 Pharmacological actions of alcoholic extract of envenomed monkey's 

 liver ('envenomed liver') have been compared with those of cobra 

 venom and of extract of lecithin treated with venom ('lysocithin'). 



"4. 'Envenomed liver' and 'lysocithin' cause slow delayed contraction 

 of the guinea pig's jejunum and characteristic after-changes in reactiv- 

 ity to histamine and to acetylcholine. The effects of cobra venom are 

 similar, but in this case the muscle is readily desensitized. 



"5. 'Envenomed liver,' 'lysocithin,' and cobra venom contract the 

 rat's jejunum, the normal guinea pig's uterus and the uterus poisoned 

 by histamine. In the case of cobra venom the preparations are readily 

 desensitized. 



"6. On the isolated cat's heart 'lysocithin' causes changes in coro- 

 nary circulation and strong reduction in the force of the beat; rapid 



