The new quantitative technic for complement fixation in syphilis, as recently published by Dr. John A. Kolmer,1 has been employed by us since November, 1921, in the examination of 362 specimens of serum from 329 patients. The Dermatologic Research Institute of Philadelphia examined 100 of these serums in collaboration with this laboratory, employing both their old method and the new Kolmer technic. The serums of these 100 patients were drawn for both laboratories at the same sitting. These serums were all from patients who have been thoroughly studied clinically. In many of them, the diagnosis has been proved in the surgery or at necropsy, and in only a few has there been clinical uncertainty as to the condition present.
The 362 serums may be grouped as follows: positive Wassermann reaction, positive clinically, 136; negative Wassermann, negative clinically, 181; positive Wassermann, negative clinically, fifteen; negative Wassermann, positive clinically, two; syphilitic