INTRODUCTION 165 



the amboceptor) and then some fresh serum from a normal animal 

 (thus containing alexin) the phenomenon of hemolysis is obtained, 

 — a phenomenon in which the dissolution of the red cells is simu- 

 lated, although in reality, as Bordet himself showed, there is 

 simply a diffusion of the hemoglobin, the stroma remains intact. 



Finally, Bordet showed, in an indirect manner, by means of 

 the complement fixation reaction which bears his name, that 

 bacteria, as well as red blood cells, absorb specific amboceptor 

 and are thus able to fix complement. 



Here is where the equivocation commences. By analogy it 

 was concluded that since, under the influence of the complement 

 fixed by the cells in combination with the specific amboceptor, 

 a hemolysis of the red cells was produced, so with bacteria which 

 likewise absorb a specific amboceptor and fix complement in the 

 same way, there must necessarily be a bacteriolysis. This bac- 

 teriolysis has never been observed directly, and this fact is ade- 

 quate, it seems to me, to arouse some doubt concerning the reality 

 of the phenomenon. The following experiment, which I have 

 repeated several times, shows that in reality the bacteria are by 

 no means destroyed under such conditions. The result is quite 

 the opposite. 



Experiment LVI. Take 4 tubes, each containing 20 cc. of 0.8 per cent 

 saline. To each add a quantity of cholera vibrio suspension sufficient to 

 give a count of about 1000 vibrios per cubic centimeter. 



The first tube remains as the control. 



The second tube receives 0.25 cc. of fresh guinea pig serum, after this 

 serum has been shown by test to contain complement. 



The third tube receives 0.1 cc. of an anticholera serum, in which the 

 presence of specific amboceptor has been demonstrated. 



The fourth tube receives 0.25 cc. of the fresh guinea pig serum and 0.1 

 cc. of the anticholera serum. Thus, in this tube, the vibrios are in the 

 presence of a specific antibody and of complement. The 4 tubes are incu- 

 bated at 37°C, and from day to day are tested to see if the vibrios are alive 

 or dead. To this end, after twenty-four hours, the tubes are thoroughly 

 shaken and from each of them 2.5 cc. is immediately taken and planted 

 into a tube of sterile bouillon. The first of the tubes usually (4 times in 6) 

 remains sterile 2 while the other three give cultures of the cholera vibrio, 



2 This bactericidal action of physiological saline is rather strange. Even 

 when working with relatively concentrated suspensions, containing from 

 50 to 100 million bacteria (cholera vibrios or B. dysenteriae) per cubic 



