RECORDS OF MRETIXfiS 285 



day at 2 :45 a capsule was taken, and whether it was a strychnine capsule 

 or only a sugar capsule, the subjects did not know. The schedule was so 

 arranged that in the four weeks about all the combinations of doses were 

 obtained which had been used in the caffeine tests with the 16 subjects. 

 At the end of the four-week period, a two-day intensive study was made, 

 in which tests were begun at 8 :30 a. m. and repeated every half hour, 

 until 8 :30 p. m. with the exception of two periods for lunch and dinner. 

 In these two days the capsule was taken at 1 :45 p. m. A daily intro- 

 spective report was required from each subject, in which he recorded his 

 physical conditions, etc. 



Although the dose was as large as that given in practice, no consistent 

 physical symptoms were noted, such as disturbances of sleep, restlessness, 

 etc., such as were common in the caffeine reports. The curves constructed 

 from the daily tests, and those from the combination of the whole four 

 weeks for separate test periods, show neither an increase in efficiency nor 

 a following period of decreased efficiency, although relapse after stimula- 

 tion is given as one of the common characteristics of the action of strych- 

 nine. The results of the two-day intensive study do not differ from the 

 preceding tests. 



There are two possible conclusions to be drawn from the work at this 

 stage. First, the two subjects studied may, by chance, not be susceptible 

 to the action of strychnine except in very large doses. This possibility 

 will be tested by further work with a number of subjects. Secondly, 'since 

 strychnine acts predominantly on the lower centers of the central ner- 

 vous system, those in the cord and medulla, the mental processes studied 

 should not be affected. Also, the only effect on motor activity would be a 

 delay of the onset of fatigue by artificially keeping up the tonus of the 

 muscles, a factor which would not enter into the motor tests as they were 

 conducted. The writer inclines to the latter view. 



The Section then adjourned. 



E. H. LowiE, 



Secretary. 



BUSINESS MEETING 



5 May, 1913 ^ 



The Academy met at 8 :15 p. m. at the American Museum of Natural 

 History, President Emerson McMillin presiding. 



The minutes of the last business meeting were read and approved. 



The following candidates for membership in the Academy, recom- 

 mended by Council, were duly elected : 



