302 Kansas Academy of Science. 



(h) The albumen content of the phthisis-infected tissue is defi- 

 nite in its character. To determine just what it is and to change 

 it to something soluble and nonparalyzing to the microbes is the 

 secret of the solution in this opsonin battle. 



(c) If the opsonin carrier and the morbid product stored in the 

 cells by the bacteria can be changed into an inert (or better, into 

 a nutrient), while passing the inoculation into the patient's sys- 

 tem, we will thus fortify him against negative phases and make the 

 dread tuberculosis bacillus the friend rather than the foe of its 

 hosts. 



The author has made a number of analyses of sputa and secre- 

 tions from tubercular lesions. I have followed the methods de- 

 scribed in the article, "Egg Albumen and Kindred Nitrogenous 

 Compounds," thesis by Dr. S. J. Sammis of the University of Illi- 

 nois, 1901-'02, on file in the library of that institution, and also 

 used data compiled by Doctor Sammis in his albumen studies made 

 under the auspices of the National Bureau of Animal Industry 

 and published in his article "Cheese and Milk Products." 



In these experiments we have used : (a) Internal sputa products, 

 carefully collected by well-known scientists; (b) those from cul- 

 tures on rabbits, guinea pigs and cats treated by the writer; (c) 

 those submitted by others professionally interested. 



For aid rendered in collecting the samples and the care taken in 

 preservation and for the accurate history sent with samples, thanks 

 are due to Dr. P. Anderson of California, to Prof. James Kinead, 

 Doctors Ragsdal and Miller of Illinois, Dr. Jonathan Burrell and 

 Dr. A. W. Palmer of St. Louis. For this aid, for samples so readily 

 submitted, as well as advice and suggestions kindly offered from 

 time to time, heartiest acknowledgment is hereby made. I also 

 desire to thank the Rev. P. B. Peabody of Blue Rapids, Kan., for 

 his aid in the proof-reading and transcribing of this report. 



An examination, as given in the tables of the results attached, 

 shows in one hundred and eighty-two samples out of two hundred 

 tested with cyanamide of lime the conversion of the tubercular 

 lesions into easily recognized alkali albuminates and easily ab- 

 sorbed casein, the presence of a definite base having been deter- 

 mined in the case of each sample. 



Modern physical chemistry has, it would seem, caused us to burn 

 all our old textbooks in chemistry and medicine. The indicated 

 equations for reactions in chemistry were formerly set down as 

 holding true loithout fail, " exceptions excluded." But when, at a 

 later date, catalysis came to be known, it taught us why, in the ma- 



