THE SPLIT PRODUCTS OF TUBERCLE BACILLUS 173 



xanthoproteic, Adamkiewicz, Liebermann, Millon, and 

 Molisch tests; the last two faintly. Bromine water pro- 

 duces a white flocculent precipitate, but no color, showing 

 the absence of tryptophan. Injections were made into the 

 right external jugular vein of guinea-pigs of about 200 

 grams weight. The poison, as prepared, killed in doses of 

 1 to 15,000 body weight. White and Avery give such an 

 excellent statement of the symptoms and gross pathology 

 that we are induced to make the following quotation : " When 

 a quantity approaching the minimum fatal dose is given, 

 the first symptoms appear immediately, or, at most, within 

 thirty seconds. The animal becomes restless, scratches 

 its nose, and frequently utters a sharp hiccough. The 

 movements become incoordinate, the gait is unsteady. 

 The eyes are fixed, and stare. Respiratory embarrassment, 

 with diaphragmatic spasm sets in and increases to a degree 

 which causes the animal to spring from its feet, to buck, 

 and finally to fall on its side with convulsive twitching of 

 its legs, intermittent, and both clonic and tonic in character. 

 Involuntary micturition and defecation frequently take 

 place. The dyspnea becomes more marked, and then 

 ensue successive periods of apnea, lasting as long as twenty 

 to thirty seconds. These are followed by violent inspira- 

 tory efforts, during which the chest wall becomes fixed 

 in maximum inspiration. Cyanosis is noticeable in the 

 lips and ears, and becomes more marked. The convulsive 

 gasps increase in frequency and decrease in depth, until 

 finally only the lips move, the feeble and rapid dilatations 

 of the alae nasi marking the onset of death. This sequence 

 of symptoms is accompanied by a rapid and progressive 

 fall of the body temperature. Death takes place in from 

 one and one-half to six or seven minutes. Immediate 

 autopsy reveals first a cyanotic hue of the subcutaneous 

 and muscular tissues. The blood is dark in color and does 

 not clot readily. Beyond an exaggerated peristaltic move- 

 ment of the intestines, the abdominal viscera appear to 

 be normal. On opening the chest the lungs are found to 

 be in a state of maximum inflation, overlapping the peri- 



