250 



Scientific Proceedings (121). 



Without exception, all gave a strongly positive reaction to the 

 minor group toxin, though 20 were protected completely against 

 the regular toxin, and three more partially so. 



To further verify this stage of the work, we tried titrating any 

 possible group antitoxin against the minor group by using a ripened 

 minor group toxin, whose standardization, for obvious reasons, 

 could not be attempted with standard antitoxin. Although we 

 worked at the limit of sensitivity, approximately 1/500 M.L.D., 

 we were unable to demonstrate the presence of any protective 

 power in the blood of any of this group against the minor toxin. 

 Seemingly, then, immunization with monovalent diphtheria toxin- 

 antitoxin does not protect against infections of the minor group, 

 as, of course, is manifest in the two cases of that type originally 

 quoted and with whose cultures we started our work. 



Two of the most important laboratories in the country have 

 recently told us that they were likewise studying the toxins of 

 certain diphtheria organisms which are not neutralized by the 

 antitoxin in current use, so we hope after their publication that 

 steps will be taken to include the minor group in the preparation 

 of antitoxin, toxin-antitoxin, and Schick test toxin. 



no (1857) 



An intramuscular method of digitalis assay. 



By M. S. DOOLEY and C. D. HIGLEY (by invitation). 



[From the Pharmacological Laboratory, Syracuse University, 

 Syracuse, N. Y.] 



Many observers have criticized the one-hour method of stand- 

 ardization on account of the failure of complete absorption. 



During the course of work on the elimination of digitalis sub- 

 stances, one of us demonstrated the feasibility of making intra- 

 venous injections in the frog by the insertion of a fine hypodermic 

 needle into the abdominal vein. It was suggested by Dr. Hat- 

 cher that an intravenous method of assay might be evolved upon 

 the frog. Efforts to do so have not been successful but in testing 

 the possibility the idea occurred to us to experiment with an 

 intramuscular method. 



