280 



Dr. N. H. Alcock. 



[Nov. 9, 



These figures show — 



(1) Ether diminishes the polarisation in nerve. 



(2) Ether does not alter the real resistance of nerve (with the same reserve 

 as to the control experiments). 



Comparing the result of the two anaesthetics, and taking the mean 

 figures : — 





Mean resistance 

 before. 



Mean resistance 

 after. 





j- Wheatstone. 

 | Kohlrausch. 



Nerve, CHC1 S 



„ ether 



Nerve, CHC1 3 



„ ether 



121,400 

 143,180 



122,600 

 75,500 



103,500 

 122,910 



121,200 

 75,000 



-854 

 0-865 



0-989 

 0-994 



The final effects of CHC1 3 and ether are identical, within the limits of error 

 of the experiments. 



Observations. 



The full discussion of the problems raised by the facts here recorded must 

 be deferred until the results are considered of experiments on other tissues 

 and on the question as to the actual effect of the action of CHC1 3 and ether 

 on proteid solutions.* Taken as thejr stand, the present experiments show : — 



(1) That chloroform and ether (and probably alcohol) produce an electro- 

 motive effect when acting on a frog's nerve, which has a maximum value of 

 about - 030 volt, and the same sign as the current of injury. 



(2) That CHCI3 and ether produce no alteration of the resistance of the 

 nerve (within the limits of error), but diminish the polarisation. 



Two inferences present themselves — 



A. That the electromotive effects are due to the same cause that produces 

 the injury current. 



B. That as the resistance is not diminished no additional ions are formed. 

 The discussion on the correctness or otherwise of these inferences is post- 

 poned for the reasons given. 



I have again great pleasure in acknowledging the kindness of Dr. Waller, 

 both for the permission to work in the laboratory of the University of 

 London, and for advice in the conduct of the experiments. Also to express 

 my appreciation of the assistance of Dr. B. J. Collingwood, in conjunction 

 with whom many of the experiments were carried out. Mr. Shapiro has also 

 given me much help in the later stages of the research. 



* See Moore and Eoaf, ' Roy. Soc. Proc.,' and also Waller, loc. cit. 



