The Results of some Quantitative Experiments on the Serum Precipitation Reaction

Abstract

The work described in this paper is based, very largely, on the work of Dean and Webb (1926), and the methods used in the various experiments are similar to those described by them. The results are discussed in two parts. The first is concerned with the mixture of different specimens of anti-horse serum, and with the relationship of the antibody in one specimen to the antibody in another. The second part deals with the nature of the reaction between antigen and antibody in the serum precipitation reaction. The two parts are dependent on each other, and the subject of the second suggested itself whilst the work on the first was in progress. The order in which the work is described is mostly that in which it was done. Nevertheless, conclusions arrived at in one part are, in one or two cases, of importance in the consideration of the other part, and vice versa. A question as to the possibility of strengthening the ratio of an antiserum by the addition of another antiserum led to the earlier experiments.