Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 May 2009
1. The influence of the thyroid gland on the production of antitoxins to two alum-precipitated bacterial exotoxins has been investigated in different animal species.
2. Rats, rabbits and mice produce more circulating antitoxin when thyroidectomized, and less when made hyperthyroid by thyroxine administration, than control animals.
3. Guinea-pigs produce slightly less antitoxin when thyroidectomized, and markedly more when thyroxine treated, than control animals.
We are grateful to Dr J. S. F. Niven for histological examination of tissues, and to Miss M. V. Mussett, B.Sc., for statistical analyses. The alum-precipitated tetanus toxoid XW 2044, and tetanus toxin XW 1322, were kindly supplied by Miss Mollie Barr, M.Sc., of the Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent, and we are also grateful to Mr P. Rodican of the Lister Institute, Elstree, for a supply of tetanus toxin 829.