Abstract
In carrying on work with the intradermal blanching test in scarlet fever rashes we noted that serum or plasma obtained from human beings soon after meals and containing a considerable amount of chylous fluid produced a distinct local irritating effect on the human skin. The irritating action showed itself by a local inflammatory area that appeared on the following day. In some of the tests there was a minute superficial postule, which contained polynuclear leucocytes, but no bacteria. Blood serum or plasma taken from the same individuals before meals and appearing quite clear did not show this irritating local action. Studies are being carried out at the present time to see whether the same holds true for bleeding from animals taken before and after meals.
This factor of the irritating quality of chyle-containing plasma and serum will have to be taken into consideration when blood is withdrawn from animals that will be used for injections of human beings. The increasing application of human sera obtained from convalescent and normal individuals in the prophylaxis and treatment of various infectious diseases like measles, scarlet fever and poliomyelitis indicates its importance. In treating cases of scarlet fever with intramuscular injections of whole blood, as we recommended a few years ago, we noted in two individuals fairly marked local reactions at the sites of injection. A few of the other patients showed slight or moderate reactions. Although our attention was not drawn to it at the time these patients were treated it is probable that the local irritating effect of the homologous blood was caused by the same factor.
It is possible also that some of the unexplained reactions following blood transfusions carried out by expert operators with perfect technique will be cleared up if note is taken of the food intake of the blood donors.
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