326 THE AUXETIC ACTION OF GLOBIN 



and gives off a foul smell, reminding one of that of 

 the alkaloid neurine. 



Jellies were made which contained various strengths 

 of globin, and, of course, certain quantities of alkali 

 solution were also added. It was found that globin 

 by itself would never induce divisions in lymphocytes 

 in the experimental ten minutes, so we tried it again 

 with the addition to the jellies of 0.7 per cent of 

 atropine sulphate, and then globin induced divisions 

 in lymphocytes (figs. 108, 109). This is the best strength 

 to employ: In 10 cc. of jelly containing 10 units of 

 alkali and . 007 gramme of atropine there should also 

 be 0.0025 gramme of globin. The best divisions are 

 obtained with 0.025 gramme of globin; but if the 

 content of it exceeds 0.05 gramme, the cells appear 

 to be poisoned, because they shrivel up and frequently 

 burst. 



Some globin in solution (1 per cent) was allowed to 

 putrefy for a fortnight, and, like extracts of dead tissues, 

 it was then found that its action was so augmented that 

 it also would (in the strength of . 005 or better . 01 

 gramme in the 10 cc. of jelly) induce divisions by 

 itself (without atropine) in the experimental ten minutes 

 (fig. 110). 



When putrefaction occurs in a solution of globin 

 a precipitate falls, and yet it is now more effective in 

 inducing divisions than it was before. It is clear, 

 therefore, that it is not actually globin which induces 

 divisions, but it is some constituent of it which is effec- 

 tive. Putrefaction decomposes globin, and the active 

 agent plus some augmenting substances are produced. 



