94 THE TOXINS OF THE HIGHER PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 



But on addition of some normal serum hemolysis occurs. It can therefore 

 be concluded that the second factor which acts in the heat is present 

 within normal serum, while the first substance, the specific one, is found 

 only in the blood of those suffering from paroxysmal hemoglobinuria ; (and 

 according to Donath and Landsteiner in 10 per cent, of cases of general 

 paralysis). It is, in addition, the author's opinion, that similar toxic 

 substances exist in the blood of epileptics and idiots. 



Not all cases of paroxysmal hemoglobinuria possess this characteristic 

 hemotoxin. In some it is only found periodically. 



No explanation has as yet been offered for these varying phenomena. 

 Attempts have been made to ascertain whether the hemotoxin is stimulated 

 by an external agent or by infection (Lues, malaria, trypanosomiasis) or 

 whether it is of endogenous origin. The answer is still for the future to 

 disclose. 



The Antiferments. 



Ferments are very closely allied to toxins in their biological structure. 

 By the immunization of animals with ferments in as pure a form as possible, 

 antiferments can be demonstrated. Just like antitoxins, antiferments can 

 neutralize their respective ferments in vitro. As to their presence, it is quite 

 important to know that they are found in normal serum in certain small 

 quantities (together with antitoxins). The difference in their presence in 

 a normal serum and that in an immune, is purely a quantitative one. 

 The antiferments thus far demonstrated are 



Antilabferment. Antipepsin. 



Antitrypsin. Antisteapsin. 



Antifibrinferment. 



It is difficult to obtain by immunization an antiferment serum of very high 

 strength. Probably the normal organism is so regulated that it compensates 

 any increased amount of antiferment. 



Till recent times the demonstration of antiferments bore no clinical 

 Antitrypsin. interest. The antibodies of the proteolytic enzymes first began to attract 

 attention when the inhibitory influence, which blood serum has upon the 

 autolysis of organs was proven. It was Jochmann and Miiller who showed in connection 

 with their studies of the proteolytic ferments of leucocytes, that apart from these, the 

 serum itself possesses an inhibitory influence upon the leucocyte ferment. This is found 

 to be especially marked in diseases associated with great destruction of leucocytes. Fol- 

 lowing them, Marcus, as well as Brieger and Trebing discovered a restraining influence in 

 the serum upon the action of pancreas trypsin and proved that the so-called antitrypsin 

 was considerably increased in carcinoma patients. Bergmann and Meyer, working also 

 along these lines, then demonstrated that the wrongly called " carcinoma 

 Brieger's reaction" was by no means specific for carcinoma, but was found in a 

 Cachexia large number of other diseases. It cannot, as Brieger later announced, 

 Reaction. even be considered as a criterion for cachexia (cachexia reaction). 



Undoubtedly, the already normal antiproteolytic power of the serum 



