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.
Maximal, minimal and average values for these blood properties as observed in the arterial blood of 20 normal male rabbits, with similar values for total protein, fibrin, globulin and albumin as contained in the plasma are listed in Table I.
Departures from the limits of the normal range in these blood properties were noted upon monthly blood examinations subsequent to experimental tuberculous infection in normal and allergic rabbits. Of 5 animals inoculated (subcutem) with human-type tubercle bacilli 2 exhibited a slight and transitory increase in plasma fibrin. In none of the animals was there observed an acceleration in erythrocyte sedimentation or an increase in serum precipitability.
No change was observed in total protein or in distribution of the various plasma fractions in 11 animals inoculated (intraperitoneally) with bovine-type tubercle bacilli. Increase in erythrocyte sedimentability occurred in 3 animals. Lability of the serum was increased in 3 animals. These increased were not of great magnitude, transient and were co-existent in 1 animal.
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