👉 The Burton fluid, also known as Burton's fluid or Burton's serum, is a colloidal suspension of proteins and other macromolecules found in the blood plasma. Discovered by Dr. Burton McCulloch in 1917, this fluid is primarily composed of globulins and is characterized by its unique properties, such as its ability to resist coagulation when drawn into a narrow tube. This resistance is due to the presence of negatively charged proteins that repel each other, preventing the formation of clots. Burton fluid is often used in medical diagnostics to detect abnormalities in blood proteins and has historical significance as one of the first colloidal suspensions identified, paving the way for modern hematology and immunology research.
