INTERNAL WORK DURING TETANUS. 39 



greatest in this case. Each of the succeeding heights 

 begins from a somewhat lower point in consequence of 

 the extension of the muscle by the applied weights. 

 But each also rises to a less height than that which 

 preceded it ; and, finally, a weight of 250 grammes 

 being applied, the height of elevation is naught. 



From this series of experiments it is evident that, 

 as the weight increases, the height to which it is raised 

 continually decreases. The following conclusion must, 

 therefore, be drawn as to the work accomplished by the 

 muscle. When no weight is applied, the height of 

 elevation is great ; but as no weight is raised in this 

 casej the amount of work accomplished, therefore, also 

 equals 0. When 250 grammes, the greatest weight, is 

 applied, the height of elevation equals 0, so that in 

 this case also no work is accomplished. It was only on 

 the application of the intermediate weights that the 

 muscle accomplished work ; and this, moreover, at first 

 increased until a weight of 150 grammes was reached, 

 and then gradually decreased. On calculating the 

 amount of work accomplished during each of the pul- 

 sations in question, the following results are found : 



Weight applied. . 50 100 150 200 250 gr. 

 Height of elevation .14 9 7 5 2 mm. 



Work accomplished . 450 700 750 400 mm. 



The same results may be obtained with any other 

 muscle. So that it may be stated as a very general 

 proposition, that for each muscle there is a definite 

 weight, on the application of which the greatest amount 

 of work is accomplished by that muscle ; when greater 

 or less weight is applied, the amount of work accom- 

 plished is less. But the height of elevation correspond- 

 ing with the application of one and the same weight is 



