APPENDIX B 



NOGUCHI'S MODIFIED WASSERMANN REACTION.* 



A MODIFICATION of the Wassermann test recently 

 devised by Noguchi has been found both simple 

 and reliable. In principle, the test is the same as 

 Wassermann's, the only difference being in the 

 hasmolytic system employed. By making use of an 

 antihuman amboceptor, Noguchi avoids having con- 

 stantly to obtain fresh sheep blood cells. In addi- 

 tion there is some gain in accuracy owing to the 

 fact that human blood serum, in the quantities 

 ordinarily employed in the Wassermann test, often 

 contains normal amboceptors for sheep blood which 

 interfere with the reaction. 



The reagents employed by Noguchi are as follows : 



1. Antihuman haemolytic amboceptor. This con- 

 sists of a serum obtained from rabbits immunized 

 with washed human erythrocytes. 



2. Complement. This consists of fresh guinea- 

 pig serum. 



3. " Antigen." Alcoholic extracts of organs, or 

 crude preparations of lecithin. The preparation of 

 the organ extracts has been described on page 152. 



* Noguchi, A New and Simple Method for the Serum Diagonosis 

 of Syphilis, Journ. Exp. Medicine, Vol. XI, 1909. 



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