136 



H. J. CORPEiR AND H. C. SWEANY 



Harding and MacLean colorimetric method. The results are 

 plotted in chart II. 



It is to be noted again that even though equivalent amounts 

 of human tubercle bacilli were used in each test the curve for 

 the antiseptic (toluene) autolysis is higher than the aseptic 

 curve and that autolysis as indicated by the liberation of amino 

 acids is more rapid at incubator (37°C.) than at room tempera- 



0.24 

 0.22 

 0^1 

 0.20 

 0.18 

 0.16 



0.14 

 0.12 

 0.10 

 0.08 

 0.06 

 0.04 

 0.02 



0.00 



MG. 



1 2 3 4 5 B 7 



9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Days. 



Chart II. Autolysis of Tubercle Bacilli. Amino Acid Curves 



Solid line is aseptic autolysis at room temperature. Dotted line is heated 

 control. Long dash line is aseptic autolysis at incubator temperature. Dash 

 dot line is antiseptic (toluene) autolysis at incubator temperature. 



ture (these experiments were carried out in a warmer room than 

 those reported in series I which probably accounts for the greater 

 height attained by the room temperature curve). 



Series V. Liberation of antigenic substances during autolysis 



In order to determine whether, coincident with the autolysis 

 of tubercle bacilli occurring at incubator temperature, there was 



