1904.] the Tubercle Bacillus ly Human Blood Fluids, etc. 169 



The first and second of these facts suggest that a reaction of immunisa- 

 tion may be set up by the absorption of vaccinating elements from the 

 infected peritoneum. The third fact, and the same applies (vide Case 1, 

 p. 152, of the foregoing paper) also in connection with the evacuation of 

 abscesses may, perhaps, find its explanation in the data given above. 

 It would be reasonable to expect that the flow of new and active 

 lymph, which would follow upon the evacuation of the stagnant and 

 exhausted lymph, would operate in the direction of checking the 

 growth of invading micro-organisms. 



IV. Question as to whether the Protective Substances which come into con- 

 sideration in connection with Tubercle are present in the Blood of the 

 Infant at Birth. 



In. view of the asserted superior susceptibility of infants to tubercular 

 infection, it appeared to us to be of interest to measure the respective 

 opsonic power of mother and infant. We employed for this purpose 

 blood taken from the umbilical cord and blood taken from the mother's 

 finger immediately after completion of labour. Our observations are 

 subjoined. 



Observation 1. 

 A. 



Serum from mother No. 1 2 vols, 



A. E. W.'s washed corpuscles. . 2 



Suspension of heated tubercle bacilli 1 vol. 



Phagocytic index (average of 45 P.W.B.C.), 1*6. 



B. 



Serum of infant No. 1 2 vols. 



A. E. W.'s washed corpuscles 2 



Suspension of heated tubercle bacilli 1 vol. 



Phagocytic index (average of 50 P.W.B.C.), 1'38. 



Observation 2. 

 A. 



Serum of mother No. 2 2 vols. 



A . E. W.'s washed corpuscles 2 



Suspension of heated tubercle bacilli 1 vol. 



Phagocytic index (average of 50 P.W.B.C.), 0'4. 



B. 



Serum of infant No. 2 2 vols. 



A. E. W.'s washed corpuscles 2 



Suspension of heated tubercle bacilli 1 vol. 



Phagocytic index (average of 100 P.W.B.C.), 0'37. 



