Abstract
1) The Shwartzman type active factor was noted in cultured filtrate of Serratia marcescens and polysaccharide fractions were extracted from the filtrate.
2) The Shartzman active substance has been believed to be nonpathological but it is now believed that it plays a role in motivating the pathogenicity of the Serratia marcescens.
3) By the Shwartzman histological reaction it was possible to produce necrosis of the rabbit pancreas. This illustrates that localized circulatory damage caused by the Shwartzman reaction plays an important role in the formation of acute pancreatic necrosis in man.
4) The manifesting ability of the Shwartzman reaction is stronger in the pigment forming strain as compared to the nonpigment forming strain. This is believed due to the quantitative difference in the Shwartzman activating substance.
