MOVING PHOTOMICROGRAPHY— KAZEEFF 



337 



A diagram (fig. 4) synthesizes this theory of the constitution of 

 the antibodies. T represents the toxin and A the antibody. The 

 initial nucleus TA, neutral and irreducible from the antitoxic, be- 

 comes the center of attraction for the other free molecules of the 

 toxin T. The whole {TA) -{■ A' + A" + A'" . . . thus constitutes 

 an accumulation of antitoxic energy capable of neutralizing, thanks 

 to the excess of A' , A'\ A'" ... the new toxic micella T', T" , 

 T"' . . . with which it comes in contact. It is to this supersatura- 

 tion that the fact should be attributed that the serum of an immu- 





-•^ 



IW(S 



@(^(A) (a: 



0*) 



"^ 



(T^ #@ ®^ 



Figure 4.— Constitution of the antibodies, according to Prof. H. Vincent. T, toxin; A, antibodies. 



nized animal returns in antibodies to the hundredfold, that which this 

 animal has received in antigens, that is to say in toxins (diphtheria, 

 tetanus, etc.). This theory gives, according to Prof. H. Vincent, the 

 interpretation of the therapeutic effects of the serums as well as the 

 neutrahzing action in vitro. It also explains, it goes without saying, 

 the production of immunity in sick people. 



CONCLUSION 



Just as there have been objections directed against phagocytosis 

 being considered as the unique process for the defense of the organ- 

 ism, in the same manner, objections can be made to the theory of 

 antibodies being considered as the explanation of all immunity. In 

 effect, if the multiplication of the microbe is very rapid, if this microbe 



31508—38- 



-23 



