Noguchi's Modification 297 



it up a little with the clot. It is not essential exactly to measure the 

 corpuscles, as after a few trials with the suspension of normal cor- 

 puscles the eye becomes accustomed to the color, intensity, and 

 density corresponding to the requirement. 



(5) The Antihuman Hemolytic Amboceptor. — This is prepared by 

 injecting rabbits, according to the method already described, with 

 washed human corpuscles obtained from fresh human placentae 

 or from the heart of a fresh cadaver come to autopsy. The serum 

 of the rabbit, when obtained, is dried upon blotting-paper and 

 titrated as already described. 



The "set-up" for the test, as given by Noguchi, is less cumber- 

 some than that recommended for the Wassermann test and includes 

 six tubes. It can best be understood by reference to the diagram. 



The method recommends itself through its simplicity and con-r 

 venience, no sheep corpuscles being used, and through the smaller 

 quantity of blood required, it seeming to the patient that less 

 damage is done by pricking the finger than by introducing a syringe 

 needle into a vein. It is, moreover, a very sensitive test, and gives 

 very accurate results as far as regards positive cases. Unfortunately, 

 it seems to have the demerit of occasionally finding the reaction in 

 negative cases, which is a serious defect. 



Diagnosticians are still divided in opinion, some preferring the 

 Wassermann test, some the Noguchi test, and some always doing 

 both, permitting the one to control the other. In the long run the 

 Wassermann test seems to meet with most favor, and in the hands 

 of the majority leads to most satisfactory results. 



