The destruction of rennin by agitation: A case of catalysis at an air-liquid interface
In a course of a series of investigations on the condition of maximum toxin formation by C. Diphtheria , undertaken by one of us (C. G. L. W.) (3), the question of “ripening” and of the deterioration of toxin in transport appeared to be colloidal phenomena in which interfacial action play a part. It was also noted that in the preparation of high dilutions of toxin for the Schick test great care is necessary when mixing the strong toxin with a diluent in order that no air bubbles passed through the solution. If this precaution was not taken the test fluid deteriorated in strength and led to untrustworthy results. Apart from the practical importance of the loss of strength of toxins, the process by which destruction was brought about was by no means clear, and it was considered of interest to investigate the phenomenon in more detail.