365 



poison-influence, proved by tlie final appearance of normal, single, 

 rapid contractions, we see, before this stage is reached, the second 

 shortening becoming lower, of a shorter duration and appearing 

 after a longer latent period; conversely it follows that a strong 

 poisoning will be expressed by a high, prolonged, second shortening, 

 having a short latent period and that the "fusion type" indeed cor- 

 responds with a stronger rate of poisoning tlian one with two tops, 

 for with the former the latent period has reached its minimum, i.e. 

 has grown equal to that of the ürst shortening; moreover the height 

 is greater than that of a non-fusion second top. These magnitudes 

 therefore, which may be expressed in the corresponding magnitudes 

 of the first contraction, give a relative standard, holding for each 

 separate muscle during the course of an experiment, for the poison- 

 ing at the moment of contraction, enabling us to picture to ourselves 

 the progress of the poisoning, without our being dependent on the 

 direct result, viz. the shape of the curve. 



On studying the poisoning-process in this way, we notice in the 

 series of curves peculiar differences, dependent on the concentrations, 

 in which the poison has been applied. 



1. In concentrations of 1 : 1000 and higher the muscle contracts 

 as soon as it is brought into touch with the solution and maintains 

 that shortening. On being stimulated the muscle shows either a very 



Fig. I. 



Experimental-process, when a veratrin-Ringer solution 1 : 1000 is poured on a 

 muscle-nerve-preparation. 



I: Contraction before poisoning: Af-^ ^: pouring on the solution. 2 : subsequent 



contraction of the muscle; '•■'y and 4: contraction after electric stimulation, three, 

 resp. six minutes after application of the solution: at | the cylinder stopped. 

 Time Vs sec 



slight veratin-efifect, or there is no result at all of the veratrin- 

 poisoning, and the concentration is undistinguishable from the 

 contraction yielded by an unpoisoned muscle on single stimulation. 



