PROCEEDINGS 



OF 



THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 



" On the Combining Properties of Serum-Complements and on 

 Complementoids." By EGBERT MUIR, M.D., Professor of 

 Pathology, University of Glasgow, and CARL H. BROWNING, 

 M.B., Ch.B., Joseph Coats Research Scholar, University of 

 Glasgow. Communicated by Sir J. S. BURDON- SANDERSON, 

 Bart,, F.R.S. Received May 17, Read June 9, 1904. 



The combining properties of serum-complement have been studied in 

 two chief relationships. In the first place, its combination with red 

 corpuscles or bacteria, through the medium of the appropriate immune- 

 body, has been investigated to a certain extent, and facts of consider- 

 able importance have been obtained. Taking the case of hsemolytic 

 sera, we may for the present put aside the question whether the 

 immune-body acts as a link (amboceptor) between the molecule of the 

 red corpuscle and complement (Ehrlich's view), or whether complement 

 enters into direct combination with the molecules of the red corpuscles 

 through the influence of the immune-body. If we represent the com- 

 bining molecules or receptors of the red corpuscles by R, and the 

 immune-body by IB, it is sufficient for our present purpose to recognise 

 that C combines with R + IB. In the second place, complement enters 

 into combination with the anti-complement developed in the serum of 

 an animal of different species by injection of complement into that 

 animal ; we may thus speak of the combination of C with anti-C. It 

 may be recalled that Ehrlich regards complement as consisting of two 

 chief atom groups, viz., a haptophore or combining group, and a 

 zymotoxic, by which it produces its characteristic effect. He also 

 concludes, as the result of an ingenious series of experiments* in 

 conjunction with Morgenroth, that the anti-complement fills up the 

 haptophore group of complement, and thus prevents combination with 

 red corpuscles united to immune-body, i.e., with R + IB molecules. 



* Ehrlich and Morgenroth, Berlin, * Klin. Woch.,' 1903, No. 31. 

 VOL. LXXIV. B 



