MECHANISM OF DEATH 



361 



The concentration exponent varied considerably, between 0.36 

 and 1.23 %, and averaged 0.65. Four experiments between 0.025 and 

 0.1% averaged 0.78, and three experiments between 0.01 and 1% 

 averaged 0.88. The cause of this increase of n at very low concentra- 

 tions of poison has been explained on p. 352. 



Death is not caused by the formation of the mercury- 

 protein compound. Neither is it caused by the libera- 

 tion of HCI from HgCU. It is not the mere interruption 

 of the cell activity by the ^' stone in the cogwheels," 

 for this would make the killing time independent of the 

 concentration. Any of the above explanations would 

 fit the case of the anthrax spores in Table 114a, 

 but not the Micrococcus. 



Spores of B. anthracis were tested with HgCU by 

 Gegenbauer with the same technique, and the death 

 time proved to be independent of the concentration, 

 with and without antidote : 



Mtiller's data (1920) do not agree with those obtained 

 by Gegenbauer. Only one table of Mliller's can be 

 used for this comparison. The critical times for anthrax 

 spores at 37°C., were: 



Table 114b 



