718 Experiments 



This experiment shows not only that anesthesia prevents con- 

 vulsions from oxygen, like those of other poisons of the spinal 

 cord, but also that it does not prevent death from coming, al- 

 though it comes calmly. The following experiment, in which the 

 animal was removed after the action of the oxygen, its convul- 

 sions appearing gradually as consciousness returned, is still more 

 convincing. 



Experiment CCLXXVI. February 24. Chloroformed rat, nearly 

 died during anesthesia. 



Begins to be sensitive after about a half-hour. Rectal temper- 

 ature 35°. 



Subjected to 5 atmospheres, and after 10 minutes to 6V 2 atmos- 

 pheres of oxygen. 



At the end of 20 minutes of compression seems very sick; a few 

 slight quiverings; the convulsions not appearing, it is withdrawn. 



Rectal temperature 34°. 



Put back into the cage, remains stretched out; it is soon seized 

 by convulsions; stiffening of the tail, etc. They appear spontaneously 

 or as soon as the animal is touched. 



One hour after, same condition; temperature 32°. 



2V2 hours after, very slight convulsions; temperature 28°. Evi- 

 dently dying. 



February 25. Found dead and cold. 



I do not dwell upon this point, because the experiments made 

 on dogs will give us analogous data. 



Before coming to the experiments on dogs, I think I should 

 report one more which was performed on sparrows, and in which 

 we see demonstrated the important part played by the blood in 

 oxygen poisoning. 



Experiment CCLXXVIL July 17. Two sparrows are subjected, 

 from 5:02 to 5:07, to 8 atmospheres of superoxygenated air, in which 

 the oxygen tension is equivalent to 424, that is, 20 atmospheres of air. 



One, A, is in good shape; the other, B, which weighs 20 gm., was 

 bled at 4 o'clock of 0.7 cc. of blood from the jugular; it is still very 

 weak; its rectal temperature is only 32°, while A's is 42°. 



At 5:10 or 5:12, A shows slight convulsive shivers, and about 5:20 

 real convulsions, which last until 5:33, when he dies. B is not affected 

 until 5:25 and then slightly; no general quiverings, but great efforts 

 in breathing, stiffness, etc., which become true convulsions, of the 

 feet, if not of the wings, about 5:35; he has a few of them, then 

 remains on his back as if dead. 



Decompression at 5:45. 



A, rectal temperature 31°. 



B, rectal temperature 28°. 



Enormous cranial suffusions on the two birds. 



B is still breathing; his rectal temperature drops and is 25° at 6 



