NO. 23 INFLUENCE OF ATMOSPHERE ON HEALTH -'5 



We cite the view expressed by Benjamin Moure,' that the living 

 cell fat and carbohydrate are elaborated with protein into molecular 

 union, the whole forming- the water-clear bioplasm in which both 

 fat and carbohydrate are lost to ordinary chemical tests. As a 

 preliminary step to oxidation, the sugar or fat molecule must be 

 built in as an intrinsic part of the bioplasm. Oxygen is likewise 

 taken up, and there exists in the cell a delicately balanced equilibrium 

 between the bioplasm, which acts as a catalyst, the carbohydrate (or 

 fat) in labile union, the oxygen, and the carbon dioxide formed in 

 the reaction. Variations of the concentrations, or osmotic pressures 

 of any member of the system, may lead to corresponding alterations 

 in rate of oxidation. 



In regard to osmotic pressure of the dissolved oxygen, there is a 

 very large factor of safety, for Edie, Moore, and Roaf 's experiments 

 on cats, rats, and rabbits show that, provided the carbon dioxide 

 formed in respiration is not allowed to accumulate to a poisonous 

 extent, the animals can be kept for over 40 hours on 5 to 6 per cent 

 of oxygen (rabbits) and 9 to 10 per cent of oxygen (cats) without 

 any evil after-effects, and with no glycosuria. On the other hand, 

 " in accordance with the general fundamental principles of chemical 

 equilibrium, and kinetics of chemical reactions, any accumulation of 

 the products of reaction causing an increase in osmotic pressure, and 

 hence an increased chemical potential of these produced constituents, 

 will act as a resistance upon the reaction, and with further increase 

 will finally bring it to a standstill." 



Thus when the C0 2 in the air breathed was allowed to exceed 

 13 per cent (7 per cent sufficed in the case of a cat), sugar always 

 appeared in the urine, even though the oxygen percentage was kept 

 up to 25 per cent or more. These experiments also show how very 

 great must be the accumulation of C0 2 in the air to produce such 

 an effect as a temporary slight glycosuria. The CO. percentage 

 must exceed that in the pulmonary air; viz., 5 to 6 per cent. The 

 increase in badly ventilated rooms, at the outside 0.5 per cent, can 

 cause no accumulation of CO a in the body. The experiments also 

 confirm all the other evidences which demonstrate how very greatly 

 the (I percentage can be reduced (at sea-level) without endanger- 

 ing: the life of the resting animal. 



x Cf. Edie, B. Moore, and Roaf, Biochem. Journ., Vol. 5, p. 3-'5- Liverpool. 

 1911. 



