370 MAN --AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



tory rate is increased through the specific stimulation 

 of the respiratory center by the increased H-ion con- 

 centration. The kinetic system is driven only by the 

 higher centers of the brain. They alone control the 

 adaptive transformation of energy. Increased H-ion 

 concentration diminishes and even arrests the driving 

 power of the brain ; that is, it inhibits the higher 

 centers and stimulates the respiratory and other acid- 

 neutralizing mechanisms. This antithetic reaction of 

 the acid-producing part of the brain and the acid- 

 eliminating part of the brain prevents death by acidosis 

 during muscular exertion, emotion and fever. 



If, however, we give an individual deep narcotiza- 

 tion with morphia before he is given the adequate 

 stimulus to emotion, exertion or fever, we find there is 

 little or no transformation of energy, and his brain- 

 cells, adrenals and liver remain histologically normal. 

 Morphia performs a physiologic decapitation, com- 

 pletely neutralizing the effect of the crushing injury, 

 the overwhelming danger, or the powerful infection. 

 As a corollary, we find that, if decreased alkalinity be 

 present either as a result of energy transformation, of 

 inhalation anesthesia or of some other cause, then 

 large doses of morphia hinder or prevent the return of 

 the blood to its normal alkalinity. Strychnin and iodin 

 are antithetic to morphia, the first causing convulsions 

 and the second causing the kinetic drive of fever, emo- 

 tion or exertion. Whatever causes excessive energy 

 transformation diminishes the alkalinity of the blood 

 and causes an increased output of adrenin, mobilizes 

 thyreoidin and glycogen and by increasing the electric 

 output of the brain leads to physical exhaustion and 



