ACTION OF BLOOD SERUM AND OTHER ORGANIC LIQUIDS. 207 



caustic potash and then diluted with four volumes of physiologic salt 

 solution the germicidal activity was shown by the facts that Staphylo- 

 coccus pyogenes aureus, and the anthrax bacillus without spores, 

 failed to grow after twenty minutes' exposure. Kossel (1893) has 

 obtained similar results with nucleins from the thymus gland of the 

 calf. 



Urine. The experiments of Lehniann show that fresh urine has 

 a decided germicidal power for the cholera spirillum and the anthrax 

 bacillus, and no doubt for other bacteria as well. To what constitu- 

 ent of the urine this is due has not been determined, but it may be 

 due to the uric acid present. 



