Specific inhibition of antibody production. IV. Standardization of the antigen-elimination test; immunological paralysis of mice previously immunized.

The antigen-elimination test has been calibrated by means of passive immunization experiments. The effect of altering the amounts of antigen or antibody used in this test has been demonstrated. Experiments have been carried out to investigate the possibility of inducing immunological paralysis in mice immune to BGG. It was found necessary to start with an injection of 300 mg BGG, and follow this by a course of twice-weekly injections of exponentially (×2) decreasing amounts. X-irradiation increased the ability of antigen to paralyse. The difference between non-immunogenic antigens (BGG in mice) and immunogenic antigens (BSA, etc.) is discussed. The possible role of intracellular antibody in determining the amount of antigen necessary to induce immunological paralysis is also discussed.