88 Dr. A. D. Waller. Influence of Acids and Alkalis 



Fig. 15. — Effect of tetanisation on A (diminution) (2296). 



The chief results of these experiments (and of those on tempera- 

 ture*) are to the following effect : — 



The katelectrotonic current is augmented in consequence of (a) 

 rise of temperature, (b) acidification, (c) tetanisation. 



It is diminished by Gasification. Its augmentation by tetanisation 

 gradually declines during repose. 



The anelectrotonic current is diminished in consequence of rise of 

 temperature. It is augmented by " very slight" acidification and 

 by tetanisation, diminished by " slight " acidification and tetanisation. 



The characteristic effect of the presumably " dissociative " in- 

 fluence of rise of temperature, of acidification, and of tetanisation, is 

 a diminution of the quotient A/K. A slighter and less assured effect 

 of tetanisation consists in an augmentation of the quotient A/K. 



Note. — The foregoing observations form part of an investigation of 

 the action of reagents on nerve, towards the expenses of which a 

 grant was made by the Physiological Sub-committee of the British 

 Association to Miss S. C. M. Sowton, acting as my assistant in 

 the prosecution of the research. Our experiments during the last 

 year have fallen under four heads: — (1) On the action of acids and 

 alkalis upon action- currents ; (2) on the action of acids and 

 alkalis upon electrotonic currents ; (3) on the action of temperature 

 upon electrotonic currents ; (4) on the action of anaesthetics, of 

 neutral salts, and of alkaloids upon electrotonic currents. The first 

 and fourth of these four groups are not sufficiently advanced for 

 publication, and have required to be prefaced by the second group 

 which is now reported upon. The third group is briefly reported on 

 in ' Roy. Soc. Proc.,' Dec. 17, 1896. 



I wish to acknowledge Miss Sowton's active participation during 

 the past year in the work above specified. Experiments under 

 headings (1) and (4) will, it is to be hoped, be sufficiently advanced 

 for publication during the coming year. 



* ' Koy. Soc. rroc.,' vol. 60, p. 383. 



