426 WaLLAcE LARKIN CHANDLER 
in warm-blooded animals, which convulsions are of a secondary nature 
(as in the case of asphyxia of the brain tissues) and not due to a direct 
action of the drug on the nervous system. He believes that nitrobenzene 
does not belong to either of these categories, since all the symptoms — 
nystagmus, pupil reactions, and the duration of the convulsions — point 
to a direct action of the drug on the central motor apparatus and yet 
the drug does not produce convulsions in frogs. He says (page 372 of 
reference cited), 
dass die bei Nitrobenzolvergiftung auftretenden Krimpfe nicht secundirer Natur sind, dass 
vielmehr das Nitrobenzol direct erregend auf motorische Centralapparate der Warmbliiter- 
wirke. Und zwar ist diese Erregung um so heftiger je schneller der Uebertritt des Nitro- 
benzols avs dem Blute in das Protoplasma der Ganglienzelle erfolgt.’ 
He places nitrobenzene in the list with alcohol, ether, and the like, which 
exert a direct action on the central nervous system. 
Regarding therapeutics in cases of nitrobenzene poisoning, Filehne 
says that solvents for this drug, such as alcohols, milk, and oils, are to be 
avoided. He recommends blood transfusions. He believes that the use 
of nitrobenzene for flavoring foods, in flavoring extracts, and in alcoholic 
drinks such as liqueurs, shouid be prohibited. 
One other monograph may be mentioned, a paper by Zieger (1903). 
Zieger followed a method similar to the one used in the present research, 
but his technique was faulty in several respects and he used only a small 
number of animals — cats and rabbits. He says that nitrobenzol acts 
on the brain and respiratory organs and on the blood. He concludes 
that the vapor is 2ot especially toxic when inhaled in amounts ordinarily 
met with, but that absorption of nitrobenzol from the skin can take place 
readily with serious results. 
RESUME OF THE LITERATURE 
From the literature here reviewed it will be seen that the following 
points appear to be fairly well established: 
1. That nitrobenzene exhibits toxic properties, whether it is ingested, 
applied to the skin, inhaled, or administered by subcutaneous injection. 
2. That the size of the lethal dose is extremely variable. 
3. That the symptoms of poisoning are inconstant. 
4. That an interval of time (the latent period) often elapses between 
the administration of the poison and the onset of the symptoms. 
