SOLANACER. 564 
_. physiological action of solanine, tlie active principle of this plant, 
has been investigated by Max Perles (Centralbl, f. Klin. Med, 
1890, No. 2), who found its action upon ameeboids, infusoria and 
_ ciliated epithelium cells to be that of a powerful protoplasmic 
_ poison. A solution containing less than 1 per cent. prevented 
the growth of bacteria; a very dilute solution added to blood 
accelerated coagulation, whilst a stronger solution (1 per cent.) 
prevented coagulation and partially dissolved the red corpuscles ; 
left for some hours in contact with hemoglobin it converted 
it into reduced hemoglobin, but not into methemoglobin. In 
‘cold-blooded animals solanine produced paralysis of the central 
nervous system, acting first on the brain and afterwards.on the 
spinal cord, and finally paralysing the heart muscle. Locally 
applied solanine produced destructive changes in muscular 
tissue, causing paralysis and obliteration of transverse striation, 
while the nerves, which were at first excited, finally became 
_ paralysed. 
Intravenous injections of BERS in warm-blooded animals. 
: sanded violent tremblings, soon. followed by clonic spasms of 
the muscles of the jaw, nape of the neck and back, and see 
wards by paralysis of the central nervous system. 
« The temperature changes in poisoning by solanine were forthe 
to indicate very exactly the gravity of the case, the minimum 
of temperature corresponding with the maximum of danger. 
The-dyspnoea which was observed in all the cases is: attributable 
partly: to the disturbance of the circulation and partly to seca 
blood changes which have been already noticed. 
> The post-mort tion of animals poisoned by solanine 
showed:-a eskidsen similar'to the enteritis of typhoid fever, 
with here and there hemorrhagic extravasations. into the 
intestinal walls. The -kidneys presented lesions similar to 
those seen in acute nephritis, with infarction of the renal tubes« 
Intra-peritoneal: injections of solanine caused iene 
nitis with exudation. 
“Moderate snbcutaneous injections produced little effect, but : 
=_— quantity to be poisonous, the — ‘alrea 
