On the invertase-accelerator of serum, with observations on other enzyme-accelerators reported in serum.

THE phenomenon of invertase-acceleration by serum was first observed in the course of a biochemical investigation into the causal factors of an experimental immunity produced against the myiasis-producing larva of Cordylobia anthropophaga [Blacklock, Gordon and Fine, 1930]. Although this phenomenon was of no interest from the point of view of the inquiry that led to its discovery, I became interested in it because of its possible application to diagnosis. Further investigation into the properties of the invertase-accelerator, however, revealed the fact that acceleration could be replaced by inhibition by altering the PH of the enzyme mixtures. Throughout the investigations vegetable invertase only was used; no studies were carried out with animal invertase.