Abstract
Sedimentation of the corpuscles of heparinized blood was determined by noting the extent of fall in glass tubes with an inside diameter of 4 mm. and height of 100 mm. during an interval of 1 hour. The tubes were centrifuged to insure complete sedimentation and the sedimentation-index computed as the ratio between the sedimentation observed in 1 hour and the possible maximum extent of sedimentation.
Precipitability of serum protein was determined by adding various amounts of aluminum sulphate, as contained in a unit volume of 1 cc. to 0.2 cc. of unheated blood serum in small tubes. Serum and reagent were mixed and set aside at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours. A heavy flocculent precipitate that settled out leaving a clear supernatant fluid was recorded as a positive reaction.
Average values for these blood properties as observed in a group of 14 tuberculous and a group of 20 normal individuals are listed in the accompanying table with average values for total protein, fibrin, globulin and albumin as contained in the plasma.
In the presence of tuberculous infection the blood of man exhibits a quantitative shift in plasma protein toward the more labile globulin and fibrinogen fractions, also an increased sedimentability of the corpuscles and an increased precipitability of serum protein. The latter changes are coincident with but not necessarily related to changes in plasma protein. Apparently with the inception of a general biologic reaction in the course of tuberculous disease, a decrease in blood stability (as measured by these properties) becomes apparent and is quantitatively without relationship to the extent of tuberculous involvement.
Clinical and experimental value of the aluminum sulphate flocculation test may be extended by the titration procedure outlined.
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