1338 
TABLE AIL 
Effect of KCN on phagocytosis. 
Serous NaCl-sol. 
Phagocytosis 
+ KCN | 
| 187 
de — 0 
0 599 X 100 = 30% 
204 
289 
1: 50.000 | 2 X<100=42.8 , 
231 
1: 100.000 624% 100 = 36.8 5 
1: 1000.000 A X 100 = 29.9 : 
Hence we see that in slight quantities potassiumcyanide has a highly 
stimulating effect on phagocytosis, which is checked by greater quan- 
tities. Here again a perfect agreement in the behaviour of respiratory 
centre and phagocytes. 
V. Explanation of the stimulating effect of traces of chloroform 
on phagocytosis, and of the excitement-stage in narcosis. 
Let us now return to our startingpoint, viz. to the question what 
may be the reason why traces of chloroform and similar substances 
cause an acceleration of phagocytosis. 
By Verworn and his school it has been demonstrated that in the 
chloroform-narcosis the cells have lost the power of using the oxygen 
offered to them, for oxydation purposes. There is asphyxia. The 
supposition suggests itself that the application of small amounts of 
chloroform brings about this blockade of oxygen imperfectly, and 
that the phagocytes are thus reduced to a condition similar to that 
which is met with when a short treatment with nitrogen and 
hydrogen has caused them to lose part of their oxygen, which loss 
has brought them into a state of increased sensitiveness. 
The action of greater amounts of chloroform will cause the 
potential oxygen percentage, if we may call it thus, to fall still 
lower, the phagocytosis will begin to decrease: a decrease which 
likewise sets in at a long action of a medium containing little 
oxygen, as we obtained it by treatment with nitrogen or hydrogen. 
(Comp. § III). 
We have tested this view experimentally, for instance by allowing 
