i8 



Scientific Proceedings (86). 



munication, 1 together with the C0 2 combining power according 

 to the Van Slyke method. An increase in the diastatic activity 

 with a parallel rise in the blood sugar was observed. The anes- 

 thesia was also found to produce a decrease in the alkaline reserve 

 of the blood as shown by the CO2 combining power. 



A number of patients showing mild or severe hyperglycemia 

 and increased diastatic activity of the blood received 20 to 30 

 grams of sodium bicarbonate by mouth per day. Changes in the 

 diastatic activity, the blood sugar and C0 2 combining power of 

 the blood were followed for some time. The results show that 

 as the alkali reserve increased with the alkali therapy, the activity 

 of the diastase declined, accompanied by a proportionate fall in 

 the blood sugar content. 



119 (1297) 



Acid development as the result of injury in nervous tissue. 



By A. R. Moore. 



[From the Physiological Laboratory of Rutgers College, New 

 Brunswick, N. J.] 



It was found possible to demonstrate the presence of acid in 

 nervous tissue by the use of phenolsulphonephthalein as an 

 indicator. The latter was employed in a 0.2 per cent, solution in 

 Ringer's fluid, made slightly alkaline by the addition of one part 

 of Af/15 Na 2 HP0 4 to four parts Ringer. Pieces of nervous tissue 

 immersed in this solution take up sufficient dye in thirty minutes 

 to show a striking reaction. In order to observe the reaction in 

 brain substance, the brain of a frog was exposed by the removal 

 of the roof of the skull, and the entire head immersed in the solu- 

 tion of phenolsulphonephthalein. When the preparation was 

 examined thirty minutes later, the injured parts of the brain were 

 bright yellow, indicating an acidity at least equivalent to PH = 6.5. 

 The uninjured parts remained pink, but subsequent injury to 

 them brought about the yellow coloration in a few seconds. 



In similar fashion nerve trunks may be stained. The un- 



1 Killian and Myers: these Proceedings, 1916, XIV, 32; also Myers and Killian 

 Jour. Biol. Chem , 1917, XXIX, 179. 



