Influence of Character of Antibody upon Velocity of Flocculation

Results of a thorough study of the rates of flocculation of 20 antisera when mixed with their antigens in all proportions are presented. The relation between the alpha (constant antibody) and beta (constant antigen) optima is discussed. It is suggested that most of the antisera examined can be classified into two main types, one of which, the H type, gives an optimum by both the alpha and beta procedures, whereas the R type gives an optimum only by the former technique. It appears that these differences can only be accounted for by the influence of differences in the physical and chemical properties of the various antibodies.