Cellular Immunity: Observations on Natural and Acquired Immunity to Cobra Venom by GUNN, J. A.; R. ST. A. HEATHCOTE - 1921: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Vol. 92

London, 1921. Original Wraps. Very Good. 4to (25.2 x 17.7 cm). Original blue-gray printed wrappers with Journal, title and authors printed in black on front cover. The off print is in very good condition. Collation: [81]-101. [1-Blank]pp. with 8 photo- reproduction figures and 2 Tables in text. This article is divided into an introductory section by J. A. Gunn followed by the research section from Gunn and Heathcoate. In the Introductory section(pp.81-87) Dr. Gunn notes that despite extensive information available on immunity processes as studied by Metchnikoff, "Accurate information is still wanting in regard to the part played by other living cells (other than blood) in the acquisition and retention of immunity." Dr. Gunn proceeds to review and discuss different aspects of natural and acquired immunity. The formal part of the report deals with the experiments conducted by Drs. Gunn and Heathcote on natural and acquired immunity to cobra toxin by heart and intestine from rabbits and cats. This was compared to the acquired immunity in immunized rabbits in tests with isolated hearts and intestine. They note "that neither in natural nor in acquired immunity can the red blood corpuscles be taken as a reliable index of cellular immunity." (p.100). The authors conclude that cellular immunity in tissue such as muscle of the heart and intestine can be produced based on their findings.

Whether other tissues acquire and retain a cellular immunity to different toxins remains to be investigated. Dr. Gunn is noted for his research on pharmacological actions and therapeutic use of compounds related to adrenaline. (G&M 1928).