1908.) Diphtheria Antitoxin. 413 
indicate that this protein is added to serum during immunisation, and that 
the antitoxic property is not due to the addition of a group possessing this 
character to a normal protein molecule. This conclusion also follows from a 
study of the relation between total solid and antitoxic strength of the serum 
of a horse during its antitoxic life. 
It is suggested that one of the functions of the proteins composing the 
group albumin («) is to protect the tissues against disease. 
A theory is advanced that the production of diphtheria antitoxin is due to 
an active secretion by the leucocytes, this secretion being stimulated by the 
ingestion of toxin molecules. 
REFERENCES. 
(1) Brieger and Ehrlich, ‘ Zeitschr. f. Hygiene,’ vol. 12, p. 137. 
(2) Aronson, ‘ Berl. klin. Wochenschr.,’ vol. 26, p. 425. 
(3) Brodie, ‘ Journ. of Pathol. and Bacteriol.,’ vol. 4, p. 460. 
(4) Freund and Sternberg, ‘ Zeitschr. f. Hyg.,’ vol. 31, p. 429. 
(5) Pick, ‘Hofmeister’s Beitr., vol. 1. 
(6) Szontagh and Wellmann, ‘Deutsche med. Wochenschr.,’ vol. 24, p. 421. 
(7) Hiss and Atkinson, ‘Journ. of Exp. Med.,’ vol. 5, p. 47. 
(8) Ledingham, ‘Journ. of Hygiene,’ vol. 7, p. 65. 
TOL. Lx kx. —B. Fei 
