270 M TSUKAMOTO. 



seenierl to be to compare together the effects of methylic and ethylic 

 alcohols. I have examined altogether the action of nine alcohols : 

 methylic, ethylic, normal and iso-pvopylic, normal, iso-. and tertiary 

 bntylic, normal amylic alcohol, and, finally, allylic alcohol (CH : 

 CH.CH2. OH). These alcohols were dilnted with distilled water' to 

 the extent stated in connection with each exj)eriment, the percentage 

 triven being- that by volume. 



Action of the Alcohols upon Lower Vertebrate Animals. 



Foï" the experiments were chosen tadpoles of Bitfo nilgaris, Laui-. 

 in such a. stage of development that tlie hind legs had made their 

 appearance. Three individuals were put into 50 c.c. of the alcoholic 

 solution of a certain strength. (Jontrol experimeiits with plain water 

 were made in every case. In 0.1 'Yo solutions they became mc^tionless 

 after 1 '/.-^ hours in allylic alcohol ; after 10-2") minutes in amylic 

 alcohol ; and after one hour in butylic alcohol ; while those in the 

 other 6 alcohols of the same dilution were apparently not injured. 

 After 24 hours those in the butylic alcohol had almost entirelv re- 

 covered, but those in the amvlic and allylic alcohols were dead. The 

 tadpoles in the other 6 alcohols were alive aller 10 days.- 



VVith methylic and ethylic alcohol the ex]ierinients were still 

 further extended. In O.H'Y,,, 0..^"/,,. 0.7"/,,. and 1 7„ solutions the 

 intensity of the narcotic action increased with rlie clegree of the 

 concentration, as was to be expected, but in all cases the action of 

 ethylic alcohol was stronger than tliat of methylic alcohol. Further, 

 in 1.5 "/o ethylic alcohol all the tadpoles showed great stu])or, while 

 in methylic alcohol of the same strength one only of the three was 



1. <Jnly in those cases whoi-e infusoria served for the experiment, was ordinary well 

 water used. 



2. In all cases some Spirofiip-a threads were added as food for the animals. 



