THE PROTECTIVE ACTION OF COPPER AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA EQUIPERDUM INFECTION IN ALBINO RATS.

The effect was studied of additions of copper to an adequate diet on the course of infection with Trypanosoma equiperdum in rats. Copper in amounts equivalent to 0.2 mg. of elemental copper per rat per day during a period of 10 days prior to an induced infection with small numbers of trypanosomes raised the natural resistance of the rat to the infection. The infection was aborted in all instances when the rats were infected by the injection of 2,000 trypanosomes and in 75 per cent of instances when the rats were infected by the injection of 10,000 trypanosomes.