336 



ZOOLOGY. 



of colored light on the excretion of carbonic acid, the following results 

 were obtained : 



Uninjured frog 

 Uninjured bird 

 Uninjured rat . 

 Blind mammal 



White. 



112 

 142 

 137 

 113 



It is concluded that light has " a considerable influence on metabolic 

 activity. It increases the excretion of carbonic acid and the ingestion 

 of oxygen, but this influence is not only mediate through the eyes, it 

 obtains through the skin, for it is seen in eyeless animals. AVhen the 

 eyes only or the skin only are affected, the result is less than when the 

 whole animal is brought under its influence. The tissues are no less 

 aflected than the whole body. The chemical rays have greater efl'ect 

 than the heating ones, and the result that light has a chemical influence 

 on metabolism cannot be evaded." (Abstract from J. R. M. 8.) 



EFFECTS OF STARVATION. 



Surg. D. I). Cunningham, of the Indian medical service, has investi- 

 gated the physiology of starvation in certain fungous plants, and Am- 

 phibans (of the tadpoles of a toad — Bufo melanostictus and a Jrog — 

 Bana tigrina)* The result of his investigation was to demonstrate that 

 a fatty degeneration and disintegration of the protoplasm ensued, and 

 in the aniniMls an atrophy of the intestinal caual. The fatty degenera- 

 tion effects in the greatest degree the lining cells of the digestive canal, 

 and this in time is completely left destitute of epithelium, and therefore 

 no longer capable of fulfilling the functions of secretion and absorption. 

 When this climax is reached death must ensue, but as long as any of the 

 epithelium is left (even though it be much degenerated) recovery is pos- 

 sible. In connection with these experiments Surgeon Cunningham has 

 studied the phenomena exhibited by star\'ation in the case of the in- 

 habitants of India who suffered and died ii'om the famine lately preva- 

 lent in that country. Although patients that had been for some time 

 deprived of food showed no symptoms of actual disease, they were at- 

 tacked by diarrhoea and dysentery with almost certainly fatal results, 

 and thus was indicated inability for assimilation. A post-mortem ex- 

 amination proved that there was, as in the case of the plants and ani- 

 mals experimented upon, a fatty degeneration of the tissues, especially 

 the alimentary canal. So long, however, as the sufferers had a small 

 amount of nutriment no active symptoms were manifested, and it was 

 only when they were afforded a generous supply-, that famine diarrhoea 

 and dysentery commenced. The most rigorous attention and regimen 



* Cunningham (D. D.). Certain effects of starvation on vegetable and animal tis- 

 sues. Quart. Jour. Micr. Science, January, 1880. 



