10 



Scientific Proceedings (55). 



proportions of certain anesthetics. The close relation between 

 curves obtained in purely physical systems and those observed 

 by Lillie on Arenicola larvae suggests the probability that anes- 

 thetics exert their effect on the cells by increasing the solubility 

 in a fatty or lipoid phase and decreasing the solubility in the 

 water phase of the film formed by contact between the fatty or 

 lipoid phase and adjacent internal and external aqueous phases. 

 If protoplasm be considered for the moment as an aqueous lipoid 

 system in which the lipoid phase is continuous or external (a by 

 no means impossible contingency in view of the preparation of 

 emulsions containing 99 per cent, or more of the dispersed phase), 

 and the water phase internal, it will easily be seen that anesthetics 

 functioning in the manner indicated above would tend to promote 

 the continuity of the external lipoid phase, protecting it from the 

 destructive effect of negative ions present in the adjacent aqueous 

 phases. In the absence of protective kations or anesthetics, 

 negative ions adsorbed on this film or membrane would presumably 

 induce a series of spherical curvatures with consequent contraction 

 in length. Ultimately the film in question would be broken up 

 into globules which would now constitute the dispersed phase. 

 The original interior aqueous phases by uniting with the exterior 

 aqueous medium would afford a continuous aqueous phase which 

 would permit of the ready diffusion of any water-soluble substances 

 originally present in the interior aqueous phase. Lillie particu- 

 larly notes that Arenicola larvae show violent muscular contrac- 

 tions, separation of fatty globules and the diffusion of water- 

 soluble pigments into the surrounding water when subjected to 

 the influence of pure salt solution. These effects are entirely 

 inhibited when suitable proportions of calcium salts or anesthetics 

 are employed. 



From the above considerations it appears possible that proto- 

 plasm is an aqueous fatty system, and that anesthetics function 

 by promoting the continuity of an external fatty or lipoid phase. 

 The solubility of this lipoid film in adjacent aqueous phases being 

 lowered, its permeability to water-soluble substances would be 

 diminished. Since certain vital processes presumably depend 

 upon intermittent intercommunication between adjacent aqueous 

 phases, it may well be imagined that a temporary interruption in 

 this communication would result in anesthesia. 



