ASPECTS OF ADSORPTION PHENOMENA 21? 



values when plotted cm squared paper formed a regular curve, some- 

 what concave towards the axis of abscissae. There was no indication 

 of any kink in the curve except for one determination at 16, which 

 was obviously an experimental error. That electrolytes were given 

 off is shown by the fact that the diminution ot resistance was con- 

 siderably greater than would have been the case if the diminution 

 depended only on the effect of the rise of temperature on electrolytes 

 present at the beginning. The temperature-coefficient was, indeed, 

 4-14 per cent, per degree, instead of, at the most, 2-75 per cent., 

 according to the determinations of Arrhenius. The separation of 

 electrolytes also showed itself to be irreversible, since cooling down to 

 11 C., the resistance only increased to 4128 w. The shape of the 

 curve shows that the rate of separation was greater at the lower 

 than at the higher temperatures, but, as already remarked, there was 

 no point on the curve to indicate that death occurred. It is obvious 

 that the results may also be accounted for by gradual destruction of 

 the impermeability of the living cell for most inorganic salts, but, if 

 so, this process must also be a gradual one. 



To compare with this experiment I made a smilar one with egg- 

 white, raising the temperature to 95 C. In this case the result was 

 opposite to the above, viz., there was evidence of taking up of 

 electrolytes. The physical state of the coagulated egg-white is, 

 however, so different from that of the fresh substance that it is difficult 

 to interpret the meaning of the observation. 



5. Coagulation of blood. 



It was found by E. G. Martin' that c a ++ ions have a marked 

 stimulating influence in causing freshly isolated strips of the tortoise 

 ventricle to commence beating spontaneously. This effect is shown 

 by serum, but not by uncoagulated plasma. It appears, thus, that 

 Ca+ ions are set free during the process of clotting, so that there 

 should be an increase of electrical conductivity in the process. Robert 

 T. Frank 4 was unable to detect any change of this kind. I have, on 

 the contrary, succeeded in showing that there is such a change, not in 



1. Amer. Journ. of Physiology, XI, p. 117, 1904. 



2. Amer. Journ. o c Physiology, XIV, p. 466, 1905. 



