CYToLYsis /\ (!i:si:iiM. 239 



from tlie albumciiolyl ic aiulxiceptors wliicli arc dcvt'luped afrainst un- 

 formed protein antigens. 



In view of the present uncertain state of the subject, and the very 

 questionable value of much of the work so far done, the consideration 

 of the various cytolysins or cytotoxins may be dismissed by briefl\- 

 referrinp: to a few of the most important results. 



Leucocytolytic Serum.-- — Tliis may be obtained either by immuniz- 

 ing with leucocytes obtained from e.xudates or from the blood, or by 

 using emulsions of lymph-glands. Specific leucocytolytic serum ag- 

 glutinates leucocytes and produces observable morphologic changes, 

 in the way of solution of the cytoplasm and cessation of ameboid 

 movements ; but it may also react with the fixed tissue cells of the same 

 animal.-^ Of the leucocytes, the large granular cells seem most af- 

 fected and the lymphocytes least. "When injected into the peritoneal 

 cavity such serum causes an apparent initial leucopenia. and later a 

 decided leucocytosis in the peritoneal fluid. Corresponding with this, 

 if bacteria are injected at the same time as the serum, resistance is 

 found decreased, but later it is much increased. Such serum also 

 contains anticomplement, according to AVassermann, indicating that 

 the injected leucocytes contain complement. Leucocytotoxin obtained 

 by immunizing against lymphatic tissue is very thermolabile, being 

 destroyed by 55° C. for thirty minutes, and the serum can be only 

 partially reactivated by the use of fresh serum. Bacterial filtrates 

 may also contain "leucocidins" analogous to hemolysins. Normal 

 foreign sera are more or less toxic to leucocytes, which can be shown 

 by the reduced capacity of the leucocytes for phagocytosis.^^^ 



Antiplatelet Serum. — Several experimenters have produced antisera 

 for platelets. Lee and Robertson ~^^ obtained a specific lytic and ag- 

 glutinative action, requiring complement for its accomplishment. In- 

 jected into animals this antiplatelet serum caused a condition resem- 

 bling exactly purpura liemorrliagica in man. 



Endotheliolytic Serum. — Every attempt at immunizing an animal 

 with any sort of fixed tissue must of necessity involve the injection 

 of endothelial cells as well as the cells specific to the tissue studied. 

 Therefore, it is possible that cytotoxic serum so obtained will contain 

 endothelial toxins, and so complicate any results of intra rt'tam ex- 

 periments. There is every reason to believe that endotheliolytic sub- 

 stances are produced in this way. Ricketts found that serum of ani- 

 mals immunized against lymph-glands was toxic to endothelial cells, 

 which was indicated by hemorrhages at the point of injection, and 



22 Literature, see Flexner, Univ. of Penn. "Nred. Bull., 1002 (15), 2S7 : Eicketts, 

 Trans. Chicatjo Path. Soc. 1902 (5), 178: Christian. Deut. Arch. klin. ^Med., 1904 

 (80), 333; Leschke, Zeit. Immunitiit., 1913 (16), 627; Eeeser, Folia Mikrobiol., 

 1914. H. 3. 

 23Spiit, Zeit. Tmmunitat.. 1914 (21), 565. 

 - 23aLohner, Arch. ges. Phvsiol., 1915 (162), 129. 

 23b Jour. Med. Res., 1916 "(33), 323. 



