The inactivation of biologically active proteins, and the virus of western equine encephalomyelitis by periodic acid.

The action of periodic acid on two biologically active proteins, crystalline ribonuclease and pneumococcus Type III immune globulin, and on the virus of Western equine encephalomyelitis has been studied. The biological activity of the two proteins and the pathogenic action of the virus were destroyed by the reagent; the specific antigenicity of the immune globulin was retained, however, but that of the equine virus was lost. The bearing of these reactions on the chemical alteration of the respective substances has been discussed.