Abstract
In an earlier communication 2 we have pointed out that previous experiments on the effect of atmospheric temperature upon the development of various immunity reactions suggest two general conclusions: (1) That very high atmospheric temperatures, over 35° C, tend to produce a condition of fever and to hasten the production of antibodies of various sorts, while (2) moderately high atmospheric temperatures (30°-35° C), apparently tend to decrease the power of producing antibodies, presumably by a lowering of general vital resistance without the stimulus which accompanies the production of fever. We reported certain experiments of our own which were in harmony with the last conclusion, inasmuch as they showed an apparent diminution in hemolysin production in rabbits kept at an atmospheric temperature of 29°-32° C. The present report deals with similar experiments upon the effect of moderately high temperature upon the formation of agglutinins.
This particular immunity reaction has been studied in relation to temperature by several observers. Roily and Meltzer 1 kept rabbits in an incubator at 34°-38° under which condition their body temperature rose to 40°, they lost weight and showed a decrease in hemoglobin; yet when injected with typhoid bacilli they showed a marked increase both in bactericidal and agglutinating power. On the other hand Graziani 2 studied the agglutinating power of the blood of rabbits kept at lower temperatures and found, as workers on other immunity reactions have done, that moderately high heat was harmful and not helpful. The blood of rabbits kept at 2°-4° C. would agglutinate at a dilution of 1 in 1,541; at 18°, 1 in 854; at 32°, 1 in 727. In another series the blood of rabbits kept at 32° agglutinated at a dilution of 1 in 1,250, while if the animals were occasionally relieved by cold baths the agglutinating power rose to 1 in 2,425.
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