40 



the significance of a proper relation of these substances for various 

 functions of the body, has latterly been pointed out by several 

 authors'). Furthermore we have also seen, that cholesterol, added 

 to an intermediate phase between two fluids with different H-ion 

 concentration, brought about an isolation which prevented an electric 

 current. Such an insulator might, therefore, likewise prevent the 

 occurrence of an electric current in the body. 



Thus far I have been able to ascertain whether acidity plays a role only with 

 regard to the abscesses in acute inflammation processes In analogy to what we 

 have seen in the sterile exudations, it may be expected that in pus or exudations 

 of inflammatory nature, in which polynuclear leukocytes predominate, there will 

 be a pH considerably smaller than that of the circulating blood. If only mononuclear 

 leukocytes occur in the exudations or in the pus, the pH will differ little or not 

 at all from that of the blood or the blood serum. It may be presumed, therefore, 

 that in acute suppuration-processes there is in the pus a much lower pH than 

 that in the serum. In chronic cases of suppuration, especially when there are no 

 polynuclear leukocytes, the difference in pH with the blood must be much smaller. 

 Likewise in tuberculous pus, where only mononuclear leukocytes occur, we cannot 

 expect a great difTerence in pH with the bloodserum. 



The pH of human bloodserum was determined again by the colorimetric method. 

 Here we met with great obstacles in the yellow colour, which is most often peculiar 

 to serum and in the occasional excess of fat. In accordance with the values 

 established by Evans 2) with indicators, we found also in the human serum a 

 pH of ± 7.6. 



Pus from an acute pleuraempyema was examined. The liquid centrifugalized 

 from the pus, had a pH of 6.9. The ill-smelling pus contained many streptococci 

 and beyond mononuclear- many polynuclear leukocytes and remains of them. 



Pus from a chronic molar abscess with acute exacerbation had a pH of 7, 

 beyond mononuclear leukocytes also many polynuclear leukocytes and remains of 

 them occurred in the pus. 



In a case of streptococci-meningites the cerebrospinal fluid had a pH of 7.3 

 and contained rather many leukocytes, of which 60 'Vq were mononuclear and 40 % 

 polynuclear. The next day another puncture was made, and the fluid derived from 

 it, proved to be much more cloudy; the pH was then rather more than 7.2. The 

 relative number of the various kinds of leucocytes had changed now, the mono- 

 nuclear cells fetching only 5% and the polynuclear as much as 950/o- 



It appears, then, that in these investigations the pH found, agrees 

 with the presence of polynuclear leukocytes in the pus or in the 

 exudation. 



SUMMARY. 



1. To bring about the emigration of leukocytes from the blood- 



1) Gf. c.a. Brinkman and van Dam, Studiën zur Biochemie des Phosphatide und 

 Sterine 1-3. Biochera. Zeitschr. bnd. 108, H. 1/3 1920. 

 «) G. LovATT Evans, The Journ. of Physiol. 54, p. 167 and 353. 



