288 MAN --AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



had been increased by exertion, by. fear, or by inhala- 

 tion anesthesia delayed the return of the blood to its 

 normal alkalinity. From these observations we infer 

 that morphin interferes with the activity of the mech- 

 anism by means of which acidity is overcome and by 

 which the normal alkaline state is maintained. In this 

 fact we find further evidence that oxygen metabolism 

 is as important in acid elimination as in acid pro- 

 1 duction. 



These facts from the laboratory and the clinic lead 

 to the conclusion that through its specific action on 

 the brain, opium controls the kinetic system and there- 

 fore governs the rate and extent of energy transforma- 

 tion in response to kinetic stimuli whether from the 

 internal or the external environment. If this be so, 

 then opium may be made to serve a beneficial purpose 

 in protecting the kinetic system from exhaustion and 

 death from excessive acute activation. It is known 

 that opium improves certain chronic diseases, in the 

 etiology of which kinetic activation plays an important 

 role, such diseases, for example, as cardiovascular 

 disease, Bright's disease, neurasthenia, Graves' dis- 

 ease, etc. What is accomplished by rest for these 

 cases may be temporarily accomplished by opium. 



Opium is almost a specific in the prevention of shock 

 and in urgent cases, therefore, the preoperative admin- 

 istration of morphin is an essential part of the com- 

 plete technique of anociation. Since, as we have 

 stated, opium interferes with the neutralization of 

 acidity, it is especially indicated as a preventive of 

 shock, and is contraindicated during inhalation an- 

 esthesia. 



