126 THE SIDE-CHAIN THEORY 



the two columns it will be noted that notwithstanding the wide 

 variations in the chemical structure of the different narcotics, their 

 effect is evidently dependent upon purely physical conditions, viz., 

 the coefficient of distribution. 



Coefficient of distribution Threshold of action ex- 

 Concentration in fat pressed in fractions of 

 Narcotic. = Concentration in water the normal solutions. 



Trional 4.46 0.0018 



Tetronal 4.04 0.0013 



Butylchoralhydrate ... 1.59 0.002 



Sulfonal 1.11 0.006 



Bromalhydrate . 66 . 002 



Triazetin 1.30 0.01 



Diacetin 0.23 0.015 



Chloralhydrate 0.22 0.02 



Ethylurethane 0.14 0.04 



Monacetin 0.06 0.05 



Methylurethane .... 0.04 0.4 



In accord with this view regarding the action of the majority of 

 the chemical poisons upon the cells of the body, is also the fact, 

 that these substances can again be extracted from the cells by the 

 use of appropriate solvents, which, of course, would not be possible 

 if chemical union had taken place. 



We may thus sum up by saying that only those substances can 

 possess antigenic properties which are capable of entering into 

 chemical union with the cells, but that in addition a special "Bin- 

 dungsreiz" must be exercised upon the cell, which is peculiar to 

 the antigens. 



