26 Prof. H. Meyer and Dr. F. Ransom. [May 7, 



-Researches on Tetanus.-Preliminary Communication." By 

 Professor HANS MEYER and Dr. F. RANSOM. Communicated 

 by Professor E. H. STARLING, F.R.S. Received May 7,- 

 Read May 28, 1903. 



(From the Pharmacological Laboratory of the University of Marburg.) 



In the following communication we propose to give shortly the 

 results of a series of experiments carried out with the object of 

 throwing light upon certain points in the etiology of tetanus. 



In the first place we directed our attention to so-called local tetanus, 

 for which an experimental explanation was hitherto wanting. 



Our observations led us further to a satisfactory interpretation of the 

 period of incubation ; to the discovery of a form of tetanus, confined to 

 the sensory system, which we have called tetanus dolorosus ; to a theory 

 of the action of tetanus toxine and, finally, to a definition of the sphere 

 within which the serum treatment of tetanus is effectual. 



I. Local Tetanus. 



Gumprecht, in attempting an explanation of local tetanus, arrived 

 per exclusionem at the conviction that the toxine is carried to the 

 .nervous centres by the nerve lymphatics, and Marie, also without 

 positive proof , adopted the same theory. On the other hand, Courmont 

 and Doyon and especially Brunner discussed, but did not accept this 

 iidea. 



We have, as we believe, succeeded in demonstrating that the trans- 

 port of tetanus toxine to the central nervous system takes place only 

 'by way of the motor nerves. 



The experimental proof of this statement is as follows : 



1. Toxine was found in the motor nerve after subcutaneous injection 

 in a hind leg. This result has been confirmed by Marie and Morax. 



2. The endangered spinal centres can be protected, if the passage 

 <of toxine along the motor nerve be blocked by means of anti-toxine 

 injected into the substance of the nerve. This holds good as well 

 \when the toxine has been injected locally as when it has been intro- 

 dueed direct into the blood. 



3. If a lethal dose of tetanus toxine be injected into the n. ischiadicus 

 of a cat, the first symptom is a local tetanus of the muscles of the 

 injected limb. This is followed seriatim, after a certain period during 

 which the other hind leg is usually attacked, by tetanus of the trunk, 

 iore legs, muscles of the neck. Such a progression of the disease from 

 .the hinder to the front part of an animal can, under certain conditions, 

 be prevented by section of the spinal cord. 



4. A dose of toxine which, if introduced under the skin, causes no, 



