26, 



166 Dr. Wright and Capt. Douglas. Action on [July 



Opsonic effect. The measurement of the opsonic power of the blood 

 fluids discloses very definite differences. We have not in any of the 

 sub-joined patients recorded at the outset an opsonic power equal 

 to that of our own bloods. On the contrary there has been in each such 

 case a definite defect of opsonic power. The results of our observa- 

 tions on this point are embodied in the table below. 



Table I. Showing the Opsonic Power of the Blood Fluids in a Series 

 of Tubercular Patients. 



The procedure adopted was to mix together in each case the patient's serum with 

 a suspension of heated tubercle bacilli and with washed cwpuscles derived 

 from a normal person. In each case tlie opsonic poiver of the normal serum 

 ^ployed as a control (derived in practically every case from A. E. W. 



em 



S. R. D.) was taken as unity. 



As indicated above, a diminished content in bacteriotropic substances 

 such as we have here on record may be ascribed either to the 



* It is interesting to note in connection with this case that the definite diagnosis 

 of tubercular infection, which was based upon the histological structure of a 

 piece of excised tissue, was anticipated in view of the inductions obtained from the 

 phagocytic test recorded above. 



The alternative diagnosis of staphylococans infection was excluded by the fact 

 that the patient was found to possess a normal opsonic index with respect to the 

 staphylococcus. 



t The patient gave a typical local and general reaction when inoculated for 

 diagnostic purposes with a test dose of Koch's old tuberculin. 



I The diagnosis was based upon a histological examination of the extirpatad 

 ovary. 



