November 30, 1953
Dear Michael,
First, let me tell you how pleased we were to see your picture in Times magazine and to read the very interesting article concerning the Lasker Award. Annette and I both congratulate you for this well deserved distinction.
I have received the sample of polyglucose and the polysaccharide XII which you were so kind to send us. The first experiments carried out in the rat have shown that the polyglucose is just as active as dextran if not more in producing characteristic symptoms of hystamine release and increased capillary permeability, while the S XII did not cause any of these specific changes in doses up to 100 times as high. This would indicate, it seems, that the immunological relationship between the pneumoccocal polysaccharide and dextran or the polyglucose, is not involved in the reactivity of the rat towards dextran or similar compounds. We would be happy to have the approximate molecular weight of the sample of polyglucose which you sent us. We are going on with our work on the reticulo-endothelial system without anything striking to mention.
Dr. Ovary has just arrived in Paris to carry out some work with us and Mademoiselle Staub on the application of the reaction of local cutaneous anaphylaxis to the analysis of the sera of rabbit immunized with typhoid bacilla. He asks me to send you his kindest regards.
Annette and I were very happy to read your nice long letter and hope that all is well with you. We take this opportunity to send you our very best wishes for a pleasant Christmas and a happy and "musical" New Year.
Much love from the whole family
Baruj Benacerraf