INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VENOM AND ANTIVENIN 



255 



and Noguchi, 1 who confirmed the results obtained by Myers with cobralysin 

 and then extended this sort of observation to the neurotoxin of the same 

 venom. The cobra venom which they worked with contained 1,000 minimal 

 hsemolyzing doses in o.ooi gm. for the test volume of defibrinated guinea-pig 

 or dog's blood (i c.c. of 5 per cent suspension in 0.85 per cent NaCl). The 

 antivenin was that of Calmette. First the fresh solution of venom was neu- 

 tralized with antivenin. 0.002 gm. were completely neutralized by 2.25 c.c. 

 of the serum. By partial neutralization the results shown in table 31 and 

 figure 7 were obtained. 



They then subjected the venom solution to the influences of room tempera- 

 ture and of 37 C. for a period of 19 days, under aseptic conditions. These 

 solutions showed very marked diminution in their haemolytic action. The 

 neutralization with antivenin gave the results shown in table 32 and figure 8. 



TABLE 32. 



0.025 0.05 0.075 O.I 0.125 0.15 0.175 0.2 0.225 



FIG. 8. 



The neutralization of the venom solution kept at 37 C. for 19 days showed 

 the results given in table 33 and figure 9. 



TABLE 33. 



0.025 0.05 0.075 O.I 



FIG. 9. 



Flexner and Noguchi. Constitution of snake venom and snake sera. Jour, of Path, and Bacteriol., 

 1903, VIII, 279. 



