42 2 Journal of Agricultural Research voi. xxn.No. s 



others, or whether the different extracts used in these experiments varied 

 in their hemolytic content, has not been determined. At any rate, 

 salt-solution extracts of T. actinioides , so far as the experiments referred 

 to above are concerned, are not strongly hemolytic. 



A quantity of Thysanosoma actinioides powder was extracted in four 

 volumes of ether. The ether extract after it had been freed from all 

 traces of ether was emulsified in physiological salt solution and tested on 

 sheep blood corpuscles with positive results. After a second extraction 

 of the powder in ether a quantity of powder free from the ether-soluble 

 fraction was extracted in physiological salt solution, and this extract 

 was found to be nonhemolytic. The remaining powder was extracted 

 in 95 per cent alcohol. After filtration the alcohol was evaporated, and 

 the residue, which had a waxy appearance and consistency, was dis- 

 solved in physiological salt solution and tested on sheep red blood cells 

 with positive results. Boiling did not destroy the hemolytic potency 

 of this extract ; neither did cold inhibit its activity. Normal horse serum 

 inhibited its action completely. 



After alcohol extraction the pow^der was extracted in physiological salt 

 solution and tested on sheep red blood cells. It was only faintly 

 hemolytic. 



Another lot of powdered Thysanosoma actinioides was extracted in 95 

 per cent alcohol three times in succession, each extraction lasting 

 48 hours. After the last extraction only a slight residue was left when 

 the alcohol had completely evaporated. The residues were dissolved in 

 physiological salt solution and tested on sheep and rabbit blood cells 

 with positive results. Boiling did not destroy them and low tempera- 

 tures had no inhibiting effect on them. The powder freed from the 

 alcohol-soluble fraction was extracted in salt solution, and this extract 

 was nonhemolytic. 



It may be concluded, therefore, that a hemolysin is present in 

 Thysanosoma actinioides, soluble to some extent in physiological salt 

 solution and completely soluble in alcohol. Ether extracts of T. actini- 

 oides are hemolytic, but worm material freed from ether-soluble fractions 

 still retain the hemolytic agent. That substances other than fatty acids 

 are involved in the hemolytic effects of T. actinioides extracts is evident, 

 since the ether extracts remove whatever fatty acids are present in the 

 worms. The alcohol-soluble and ether-insoluble fraction of T. actini- 

 oides resembles rather closely tissue lysins so far as the chemical and 

 physiological properties of tissue lysins are known. Noguchi {1907) 

 found that tissue tysins are soluble in 95 per cent alcohol, are not removed 

 by ether extraction, and that they have the chemical properties of solu- 

 ble soaps. In common with the latter they are destructive to red blood 

 cells even at 0° C, are neutrahzed by normal serum, and are resistant to 

 boiling. While the chemical nature of the ether-insoluble and alcohol- 

 soluble fraction of T. actinioides has not been determined, its resem- 



