Date of Award

Fall 1951

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Lubitz, Joseph M.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the true normal level of the zinc sulfate turbidity reaction of human serum using the technique introduced by Kunkel. Such an investigation was needed, for previously published reports had indicated large differences of opinion regarding the normal value. Nevertheless the test rapidly became very popular as one simple laboratory method for determining gamma globulin and, shortly after its introduction, widely applied in the diagnosis and study of hepato-biliary and collagen diseases. Therefore, it appeared urgent and necessary that rationale for this test's use as a measure of gamma globulin and in clinical diagnosis be studied at least as a confirmatory investigation of previous observations and certainly before it could be accepted for routine use in our institution, the latter condition being practically necessary before extensive clinical observations could be made. As the work proceded [sic] and the normal value established for our laboratory, studies of the clinical usefulness of the test were begun as well as a correlative investigation of another, possibly more specific and equally simple gamma globulin turbidity test recently introduced by de la Huerga. Thus, the interest aroused by observations made in the investigations presented in this thesis led me into further studies pertaining to the tests clinical practicality and its superiority or deficiencies in comparison with the other previously used similar laboratory tests. The entire series of experiments and all the laboratory work presented here were performed personally in the clinical laboratories of the Veterans Administration Hospital at Wood, Wisconsin, affiliated with the Marquette University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Marquette University.

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