56 THE ACTION OF THE LIVING CELL 



In order to determine the presence of "fatigue 

 toxins" in the muscles, the muscularis was removed, 

 minced and extracted with saline. Upon injection of 

 such extracts into the muscle walls of the unf atigued 

 stomachs of other animals, the abdomen being opened, 

 it was found that a contraction occurred, followed in 

 half an hour by a marked dilation, the stomach ulti- 

 mately becoming distended by gas to three or four 

 times its normal size. Rhythmical contractions van- 

 ished and the musculature became flabby and would 

 not respond to stimuli. As a control, a volume of 

 saline equal to that of the extract employed was in- 

 jected into the stomach walls of other animals. In 

 such control experiments the organ showed spontane- 

 ous movements within twenty minutes after injection 

 and the muscles readily responded to stimulation. 



The extract of fatigued muscle was injected into 

 the peritoneal cavity of a dog. Some eighteen hours 

 later, the animal showed an intense thirst but immedi- 

 ately vomited water after drinking. This behavior is 

 noteworthy since it is identical with that frequently 

 seen in shock. Twenty-seven hours after the injection 

 the animal's abdomen was opened and the stomach 

 found to be dilated and flabby, and to contain fluid. 

 Rhythmical movements were scarcely discernible and 

 the response to stimulation was poor. A similar effect 

 was obtained by the injection of the fatigue extract 

 into the jugular vein. A normal dog was fed a mix- 

 ture of bread, milk and bismuth. Radiographic 

 examination showed peristalsis to be proceeding nor- 

 mally. Injection into the jugular vein of the extract 

 of fatigued gastric muscle completely inhibited the 

 peristaltic movements. 



