THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF NITROBENZENE VAPOR ON 
ANIMALS! 
WALLACE LARKIN CHANDLER? 
The present rapid development in America of industries which utilize 
- large quantities of benzene or its derivatives in the manufacture of their 
products has greatly augmented the importance of the question of 
industrial poisoning. This is especially true of those industries in which 
nitrobenzene is used in some particular stage of a manufacturing process. 
Because of the pleasant odor and the retarded physiological action of 
nitrobenzene its toxic properties are not generally recognized, with the 
result that many workmen are constantly endangered by being either in 
actual contact with the liquid or exposed to its poisonous fumes. Further- 
more, the physiological symptoms of nitrobenzene poisoning are not well 
understood, altho medical literature contains a large number of reports 
of such poisoning; and undoubtedly a large number of cases of industrial 
nitrobenzene-poisoning have been referred to other causes, the real cause 
having been obscured by the retarded and inconstant action of this 
chemical. 
In the hope of obtaining more specific data regarding the physiological 
action of nitrobenzene, the initial experiments conducted by Dr. M. 
Dresbach and the writer on the investigation of nitrobenzene as a parasiti- 
cide (Chandler, 1917)° were continued. The present researches have 
resulted in findings which, it is hoped, may serve to make clear some of 
the factors regarding the action of nitrobenzene which hitherto have not 
been understood; for example, the cause of the ‘latent period,” the 
reason for the inconstancy of certain symptoms, and the specific nervous 
centers involved. The work has also opened up new fields for investiga- 
tion along the lines of neurology, physiology, and biochemistry. 
The writer is indebted for advice and assistance to the following mem- 
bers of the faculty of Cornell University: Dr. M. Dresbach, of the Depart- 
1From the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Cornell University Medical College, Ithaca, 
New York. 
2Formerly Instructor in Parasitology, New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University, 
Ithaca, New York. Research Assistant in Entomology, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, 
East Lansing, Michigan, since July 1, 1918. 
3 Dates in parenthesis refer to Literature cited, page 471. 
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