Reports of earlier investigators that saliva hastens blood coagulation have been substantiated by the use of a more accurate apparatus specially devised for recording blood clotting time.

Water solution of salivary proteins exhibited activity similar to that of whole saliva.

Evidence has been presented which indicates that saliva accelerates blood coagulation by neutralization of the anticoagulant in the blood. Since dilution of blood resulted in diminished clotting time, it is suggested that the dilution of the antithrombin is responsible for at least a portion of the reduction in coagulation time.