AUGMENTORS OF AUXETICS 359 



The action of these auxetics upon lymphocytes 

 is greatly augmented by the alkaloids choline and 

 cadaverine, which are produced in a solution of an 

 extract of a dead tissue as it decomposes. We now 

 made some experiments to see if putrefaction also 

 augmented the auxetic action of globin, and a solution 

 of it was therefore allowed to decompose at the room 

 temperature for about three weeks. A solution of 

 globin of no matter what strength will not (as already 

 noted) induce divisions by itself in ten minutes; it is 

 necessary to add atropine. But when a 1-per-cent 

 solution of globin had decomposed, it was found that 

 now it would induce divisions in lymphocytes by itself 

 in the experimental ten minutes. Whether this aug- 

 mentation of the action of globin by decomposition 

 is due to the production of choline and cadaverine or 

 not, we are uncertain; for although we have tested 1 the 

 decomposed solution for the presence of alkaloid, only 

 a negative result has been obtained. This matter will 

 require further investigation, for it is possible that other 

 substances besides the alkaloids of putrefaction may 

 augment the action of exciters of reproduction. We 

 have so far obtained the best divisions by making up 

 the 10 cc. of jelly with 0.5 cc. of a 2-per-cent solution 

 of globin which had been kept open to the air of the 

 room for three weeks. 



Decomposition of organic solutions which contain 

 exciters of reproduction will augment the action of the 

 latter agents up to as much as five-fold; and in this 

 case the divisions induced in lymphocytes are fre- 



J The iodine and the mercuric chloride tests were employed. 



