200 VENOMS 
lecithin), and that the latter, instead of fixing itself upon the 
corpuscles, becomes united with the surplus fraction of the ambo- 
ceptors, which has remained free in the liquid. 
Noguchi,' resuming the study of this extremely curious action 
of strong doses of venom, observed that the red corpuscles of 
certain species of animals (such as the horse for example), when 
previously washed and held in suspension in à physiological 
solution of sea-salt containing 4 per cent. of Cobra-venom, acquire 
a considerable augumentation of resisting power with regard to 
various physical and chemical agents. In consequence of this they 
are no longer hæmolysed by distilled water, ether, or saponin. 
Nevertheless, acids or alkalies, except ammonia, destroy cor- 
puscles treated with venom more easily than those in their normal 
condition. 
If corpuscles, previously treated with a strong dose of venom, 
are subjected to repeated washings in physiological saline solution, 
the special resistance acquired by them in the presence of the 
venom disappears ; they even become more sensitive to the action 
of destructive agents, such as water, ether, or saponin. 
The principle contained in venom, to which must be attributed 
the protective action, is not destroyed by heating to 95° C., although 
at this temperature Cobra-venom becomes partially coagulated. 
Moreover, the protective substance is contained in the coagulum, 
while the hemolysin remains entirely in the filtrate. The agglutinin 
of venom, on the other hand, is destroyed at a temperature of 
75° C. The protective substance, therefore, can be identified 
neither with the hemolysin nor with the agglutinin. 
It follows that it is impossible to accept the hypothesis of the 
“deviation of the complement ” suggested by Kyes and Sachs to 
explain the innocuousness of strong doses of venom. Besides, it 
would be difficult to reconcile this hypothesis with the fact, 
observed by Noguchi, that venom in a strong dose protects cor- 
1 Journal of Experimental Medicine, 1905, No. 2, pp. 191-222. 
