Scientific Proceedings. 



(107) 43 



able that this family could stand 40^ more toxin when mixed with 

 the antitoxic unit than those of average susceptibility. Other 

 mothers were traced whose offspring possessed less resistance than 

 the ones described, but could still neutralize 20 c /o more toxin when 

 mixed with the antitoxic unit than the average. 



It would seem from these observations that different degrees of 

 susceptibility to toxin are to be found among guinea-pigs and that 

 the special degree possessed by any one is not to be attributed to 

 individual variation, but to a family trait or character. The resistance 

 in the cases cited could not be attributed to any preliminary treat- 

 ment with toxins and antitoxins. Experiments are now under way 

 to determine the part played by the male in the transmission of 

 toxin resistance. In the case of the most resistant family, the four 

 litters were the offspring of two males. 



l 7 (63). " The protective action of venom upon blood-corpus- 

 cles," with demonstration : HIDEYO NOGUCHI. (Presented 



by Simon flexner.) 



That concentrated solutions of venom fail to destroy and tend 

 to preserve blood-corpuscles was noted by Mitchell and Stewart. 

 Among the recent writers who have paid especial attention to the 

 interpretation of this phenomenon are Kyes and Sachs. They 

 ascribe it to deviation of the hemolytic complement through the 

 excess of venom amboceptors. The study which forms the basis 

 of this brief communication shows the hypothesis of Kyes and 

 Sachs to be untenable, since it could be demonstrated that (1) the 

 protective action fails to occur with venom in which, through heat- 

 ing to from 95 0 to ioo° C, the hemolytic principle has been pre- 

 served, but certain other constituents have been coagulated, and 

 (2) the action extends to protection of the corpuscles from laking 

 by water, ether, saponin, etc. The conclusion which has been 

 reached by the author is that venom unites with the globulins and 

 especially with the hemoglobin of the red corpuscles, yielding a 

 water-insoluble compound to which the protection is due. Various 

 substances, such as salts, acids and alkalis, restore the hemolyza- 

 bility of the corpuscles by dissolving the venom-hemoglobin com- 

 pound. The permeability of the corpuscles is not markedly 

 altered. 



