X GLOSSARY 



Autohsemolysin. A substance which has the power of dissolving the red cor- 

 puscles of the individual which produces it ; an autochthonous ambo- 

 ceptor or immune body to an animal's own red corpuscles. 



Bacteriolysis. The phenomenon of solution of bacteria, more especially by 

 the action of specific antibodies, aided by alexin or complement. 



Bacteriotropin, or bacteriotropic substance (rp<?7rw, I turn). A substance 

 (usually a specific antibody) which has the property of uniting with 

 bacteria, and in someway altering their properties, usually rendering them 

 more suitable for phagocytosis. 



Bordet's phenomenon. The absorption of alexin or ccmplement which is 

 brought about by means of a cell or bacterium combined with amboceptor 

 or immune body, apart altogether from the alexin which is necessary for 

 the action ; the complete removal of all alexin from a fluid by means of 

 a cell-immune-body compound. 



Chemotaxis (rdfts, an arrangement). The attraction or repulsion of leucocytes, 

 bacteria, etc., by substances in solution in the fluid containing the cells 

 in question. 



Complement (compleo, I fill up). A synonym for alexin, q.v. The term was 

 introduced by Ehrlich, since on his theory this substance unites with the 

 amboceptor which has already united with the bacterium, etc., and thus 

 completes the conditions necessary for solution. 



Complementoid. A modification of complement which possesses the combin- 

 ing powers of that substance, but which has lost its active solvent 

 properties. 



Cytase. Metchnikoffs term for the digestive (proteolytic) enzyme secreted 

 by leucocytes ; a synonym for alexin or complement. 



Cytolysin. An antibody (immune body or amboceptor) to a cell, having the 

 power of sensitizing that cell so that it is completely or partially dissolved 

 on the addition of alexin. 



Cytolysis. The solution usually partial of cells by means of an antibody 

 (immune body or amboceptor) and alexin. 



Cytotoxin. A substance acting as a cellular toxin, especially an antibody and 

 alexin ; practically identical with a cytolysin. 



Danysz effect. The decrease in the neutralizing effect of antitoxin which is 

 manifested when the toxin is added in portions, with an interval between 

 each, rather than all at once. 



Desmon (Secr/^s, a bond). A synonym for immune body or amboceptor. 



Deviation of complement. The phenomenon in which the solvent effect of 

 immune body on cells or bacteria (in presence of alexin) diminishes as an 

 excess of the antibody is added ; also known as the Neisser-Wechsberg 

 phenomenon. 



Dominant complement. Where (on Ehrlich's theory) two or more different 

 complements unite with a complex molecule of amboceptor which has 

 united with a bacterium, corpuscle, or cell, that which has the more 

 potent action is known as the dominant. Its effect may be produced 

 without the action of the other complements, or the necessary amount 

 may be smaller. 



Ehrlich's phenomenon. The fact that the difference between the amount of 

 toxin exactly neutralized by one unit of antitoxin and the amount which 

 (added to one unit of antitoxin) just leaves one lethal unit free is greater 

 than one lethal dose of simple toxin. 



Endocomplement. A complement contained within a red corpuscle, probably 

 in all cases lecithin or an allied substance. 



Endotoxin. A bacterial toxin contained within the substance of the bacterium, 

 and not liberated except when the cell is destroyed. 



Ergophore group (tpyov, work, and Qepu, I bear). The part of a molecule of 

 antigen or antibody on which the specific properties of the substance 

 depends (toxophore, zymophore, agglutinophore, etc.), in distinction from 

 the haptophore or combining part of the molecule. 



