HELEN S. THOMAS 207 



The consumption of oxygen was determined by Winkler's method. ^^ 

 During an exposure of 30 minutes to 7.3 per cent ether the consump- 

 tion of oxygen was 145 pier cent of the normal (average of four exper- 

 iments) while the production of CO2 was 165 per cent of the normal. 



SUMMARY. 



These experiments show that 7.3 and 3.65 per cent ether solutions 

 cause an increase in respiration followed by a decrease. The results 

 agree with those of Haas^^ on Laminaria, of Gustafson^^ on higher 

 fungi, and of Mrs. Brooks^^ on bacteria. 



They do not agree with the theory of Verworn that anesthesia is a 

 kind of asphyxia and that it decreases respiration. 



13 Cf. Osterhout, W. J. V., and Haas, A. R. C, /. Biol. Chem., 1917, xxxii, 141. 



i^Haas, Science, 1917, xlvi, 462. 



16 Gustafson, F. G., /. Gen. Physiol., 1918, i, 181. 



16 Brooks, M. M., /. Gen. Physiol., 1918, i, 193. 



