Scientific Proceedings (115). 



of the series. After incubation at 37 degrees for 48 hours, the 

 sterility of the experiments was proven by broth cultures and the 

 increase in amino N determined by the micro apparatus. 



The increase in amino nitrogen with various enzyme prepara- 

 tions has varied from 14 to 26 mg. per cent. By varying the H-ion 

 concentration of the solutions a maximum activity was found at 

 P H 7-0 with a decrease on both the alkaline and acid sides of 

 neutrality. The acid endpoint of activity was about Ph 4.5. It 

 was further found that heat destroyed the enzyme very readily. 

 At a temperature of 56 0 C. for ten minutes in the absence of sub- 

 strate, the enzyme deteriorated to such an extent that only a few 

 mg. of amino nitrogen were obtained by its action. Higher tem- 

 peratures completely destroyed it. Concentration curves at the 

 optimum H-ion concentration approximated the usual curves for 

 enzymes. 



116 (1698) 



A study of the Wassermann reaction in one hundred and forty 

 cases of diabetes mellitus. 



By JACOB ROSENBLOOM. 



In a study of one hundred and forty cases of diabetes mellitus, 

 a positive Wassermann reaction was found in sixteen cases. 

 Eight of these sixteen cases presented signs of tertiary syphilis. 

 These eight cases were treated for the existing syphilis. There 

 was no increase in tolerance for carbohydrate following the treat- 

 ment. This may be due to the fact that the fibrosis of the pan- 

 creas produced by the syphilis is not changed by the treatment. 



117 (1699) 



Blood pressure studies in one hundred and forty cases 

 of diabetes mellitus. 



By JACOB ROSENBLOOM. 



Blood pressure estimations were carried out on one hundred 

 and forty cases of diabetes for varying lengths of time. Some of 

 these cases have been studied for a period as long as ten years. 

 On the basis of these studies it may be concluded that the blood 



