Acidosis from Capillary Poisons. 115 



and can therefore be disregarded. When such a comparison is 

 made the results are qualitatively similar and give strong support 

 to the evidence already described. 



In the cases of hemophilia the odds are enormously against 

 the difference being due solely to chance (one to more than 

 2,000,000,000) and in the case of color blindness, in spite of the 

 smaller numbers one to more than 500. 



Statistical evidence, therefore, strongly indicates the presence of 

 sex-linked lethal factors in man. More complete evidence can be 

 obtained only after an intensive study of several generations of pro- 

 lific families has been made. The theoretical and practical importance 

 of making such studies is so great that a start on them should be made 

 at the earliest opportunity. 



54 (1636) 

 Acidosis from capillary poisons. 



By GEORGE B. WALLACE and E. J. PELLINT. 



[ From the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 

 New York City.] 



In a study of pathological conditions of the capillaries, and the 

 effects of these conditions on the body as a whole, we have sought 

 for some agents which produce widespread capillary damage. 

 There is a considerable number of substances classed as capillary 

 poisons. Some of these, for example histamine, produce func- 

 tional changes, others, such as uranium and diphtheria toxin, 

 produce structural changes. If the change produced results in a 

 damage to the capillary wall, there should be a decrease in its 

 permeability. The tissue cells supplied by the capillary would 

 receive less blood and oxygen, with a resulting abnormal metab- 

 olism. It seemed to us that this effect might take the direction 

 of an acidosis. The following figures, obtained from experiments 

 on dogs, the Van Slyke apparatus being used for the alkali reserve 

 determination, bear out this conception. 



A study of the table shows that uranium, cantharidin, arsenic, 

 and diphtheria toxin, which cause widespread capillary damage, 

 bring about a definite acidosis. Podophyllotoxin and emetine, 



