742 REPORT—1904. 
able to inhibit its action upon trypsinogen. Although this in itself could not be 
regarded as definite proof, because the facts might bear another interpretation, yet, 
taken in conjunction with the former evidence, it was confirmatory of their view. 
4. The Effect of Alcohol on the Heart. By Dr. W. E. Dixon. 
The author pointed out that much of the literature upon the subject was 
valueless, because the experiments had been conducted upon animals already 
under the influence of anesthetics. The previous administration of chloroform or 
ether entirely abolished the first effects of alcohol. The experiments must, there- 
fore, be conducted upon unanzesthetised animals or upon surviving organs. He 
proved that the first effect of alcohol upon the pulse was a slight acceleration, 
which he thought was due to an irritative effect of peripheral origin. The first 
action upon the heart was distinctly a stimulating one, as proved by cardiometer 
experiments, The effect upon the peripheral blood-vessels was a dilatation of the 
limb vessels, associated with a constriction of the vessels of the splanchnic area. 
The effect upon the blood-pressure was a preliminary rise, which was only con- 
verted into a fall when considerable doses had been given. If larger doses were 
suddenly administered, the effect upon the heart was usually marked inhibition, 
which he ascribed to a direct action of the drug upon the cardiac centre. 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19. 
Discussion on Oxidation and Functional Activity. Opened by Sir J. S. 
Burpon Sanperson, Bart., F.RS. 
In undertaking to open this discussion I do not claim to contribute any 
results of my own researches or to speak on any subject ex cathedra, or with any 
degree of finality. I propose to state very shortly what seems to me the discuss- 
able questions, z.e., those respecting which we have experimental data, and to 
submit to the Section those on which we need enlightenment. 
The title is ‘Oxidation and Functional Activity.’ May I say that, without 
criticising it, I would ask for some latitude as regards the word oxidation? By 
oxidation is meant the formation of an oxide. Now we know that in the living 
organism oxygen may, and does, act without this happening ; e.g., in those processes 
of which the oxygenating of the colouring matter of the blood is the type. 
This is so important a distinction that I would suggest to substitute in these 
cases the term ‘oxygenation.’ The subject of our discussion would then be rightly 
stated as follows: ‘The Relation between Oxygen and the Chemical Processes 
which Constitute Animal and Plant Life.’ The older notion of the part played 
by oxygen in the chemical processes of life was that it was a destroyer, and not a 
maintainer of the chemical energies of the cell. We now recognise that oxygen 
may have a doublefunction to perform—first, as an element the presence of which 
is essential to the anabolic process by which living matter is built up; and, 
secondly, as equally essential to the disintegrative process, which, taking muscular 
activity as the type of others, is associated with the performance of function. Of 
these two actions, in each of which oxygen is concerned—the constructive and 
the destructive—the second is better understood than the first. It can be proved 
experimentally that in the living organism muscular work is accomplished by the 
transformation of a corresponding amount of chemical energy, however imperfectly 
we may understand how this transformation can occur at the temperature of the 
body. But as regards the participation of oxygen in the process of restitution, we 
are obliged to frame for ourselves a hypothesis and to clothe it in chemical lan- 
guage, according to which each elementary function is represented by a specific kind 
of living matter, 7.c., by an aggregate of Living molecules, each of which is endowed 
