The Structure of Natural and Synthetic Antigens.

WERE I to confme my remarks, in opening this discussion, to a literal interpretation of the subject or to definitely established facts, our committee’s generous time allowance would be much too long. I must therefore risk your disapprobation, to fill the time allotted, by taking a broad view of the topic and by entering occasionally upon the realm of the speculative. As I have taken the bit in my teeth, let me also give credit here to all my colleagues in this field, and since you will have no difficulty in recognizing the contributions discussed, I may be permitted to save time by mentioning few names. With regard to the structure of the natural antigens of the type of the animal proteins there is little that can be said. Denaturation effects a change in specificity, as does also reduction of disulfide linkages, but the