Staphylococcus 8-haemolysin exhibits the same broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against smooth muscle stimulants as described recently for Colisan. The antispasmodic effect develops slowly and can be removed only by repeated washing. The pattern of haemolytic activities of Colisan is characteristically different from that of 8-haemolysin, but resembles closely a-toxin. Both staphylococcus toxins can destroy paramecium and entamoeba, but the ratio of the titres at which they kill paramecium and entamoeba respectively (P:A value) is different. The P:A value of ,-haemolysin is similar to that of Colisan.

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The purified extract of a new bacterial mutant, which exhibits antibiotic activity against paramecia and amoebae, was tested on various smooth muscle preparations. Spontaneous activity as well as the response to a variety of smooth muscle stimulants was diminished or completely suppressed. Intravenous injection of the extract lowered the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat or dog. These properties may explain the beneficial effect of the extract on the intestinal symptoms of human amoebiasis, before eradication of the parasites.