HUMAN “BURN TOXIN” AND IN‐VITRO‐PRODUCED “ANTITOXIN”

Abstract

S ummary A “burn toxin” has been isolated from normal human skin burned in vitro. The “burn toxin” is solubilized in normal human or rabbit serum and in various fractions of bovine serum. The lethal effects of the “burn toxin” are not due to thromboplastin since it has no detectable prothrombin activity, is not effected by heparin, is heat‐stable and its activity was not destroyed by refluxing in 70 percent alcohol. The lethality of the crude “burn toxin” is destroyed by trypsin. An “antitoxin” has been produced in vitro from the crude “burn toxin.” The “antitoxin” protected mice against the lethal effect of the “burn toxin” when given before, with, or shortly after the “urn toxin.” The term competitin is proposed for “antitoxin” produced in vitro.