EFFECT OF RADIUM ON FERTILIZATION 117 



The solution of the problem lies, I believe, in the fact that the 

 protoplasmic and nuclear elements are not directly affected by 

 the radiations but only indirectly by means of enzymes which 

 are activated by the treatment. In support of this view may 

 be mentioned a number of observations. The experiments of 

 Schwarz ('03) and of Wohlgemuth ('04) prove that lecithin is 

 readily decomposed by treatment with radium. But the latter 

 observer, who investigated the action of radiations on pure 

 organic substances such as olive oil, asparagin, peptone, and 

 finally lecithin, found entirely negative results. In no case were 

 there any observable changes in the substances. From this he 

 concluded that the breakdown of the cells and tissues which con- 

 tain these substances was due, not to the direct effect on them of 

 the radiations, but to the increased autolytic activity of enzymes 

 in the cells. 



The question whether all cell constituents (nucleo proteids, 

 simple proteids, lipins, carbohydrates, and salts) are affected can- 

 not be determined, but an experiment by Wohlgemuth, the re- 

 sults of which are significant in this connection, throws some 

 light on the subject. To test further his hypotheses that the 

 autolytic enzymes are activated by the radium radiations, he 

 exposed portions of tuberculous lung for varying periods, and 

 found that the total amount of nitrogen given ofT was at first 

 increased fourfold. In the end, however, the control material 

 showed the same total amount as the other portion. But the 

 experiment indicated that the enzymes which bring about a 

 decomposition of the nitrogenous material in the cell are greatly 

 activated. We should look therefore, to the proteins and to 

 lecithin for evidences of decomposition. 



That enzymes are activated by radium radiations has been 

 shown by numerous observers. They exert an accelerating effect 

 on peptic digestion, on the diastatic enzymes of the blood, Hver, 

 saliva, and pancreas. "This favorable action is not always ob- 

 servable immediately; very often retardation occurs during the 

 first twenty-four hours, this being gradually neutralized, and 

 then replaced, if the experiment is sufficiently prolonged, by an 

 acceleration" (Eulerj. The promotion of plant growth is also 



