34 Mr H. F. Baxter on the Effects of Acids and Alkalies 



four in 6 ; on the addition of the acid, none in &, three strong 

 ones in a. With the acid solutions, two in a, one in h ; 

 upon the addition of the alkaline, none in a, four strong 

 contractions in 5. 



From the foregoing experiments we see — First, that 

 the alkaline solutions excite stronger muscular contrac- 

 tions than the acid solutions ; and Secondly, that the strong 

 solutions, especially the acids, prevent the transmission of 

 nervous impressions excited at the distal extremities of the 

 nerve, which is no doubt due to the disorganisation of the 

 nervous structure. 



In the following experiments, the solutions were placed 

 simultaneously upon the nerves, beginning with the weaker 

 solutions. 



Experiment I. — With Nitric Acid and Potash. 



With No. 1 solutions. — A slight contraction in a, none in 6. 



With No. 2 solutions. — Two powerful contractions in 6; slight 

 contractions and more continued in a. 



With No. 3 solutions. — Four powerful contractions in h, but 

 only one in a. 



Experiment II. — With Nitric Acid and Ammonia, 



With No. 1 solutions. — A slight contraction in 6, none in a. 



With No. 2 solutions. — Shght fibrillar contractions in b, two 

 powerful ones in a, and after a short time, slight fibrillar contrac- 

 tions. 



With No. 3 solutions. — Three powerful contractions in b, and 

 two in a. 



I was much surprised at these results with the ammonia 

 solutions, as Kiihne* has stated that ammonia is a strong 

 muscular excitant, and that the vapour of ammonia is suffi- 

 cient to cause muscular contractions. On applying the 

 strong solution to the surface of the muscle, slight con- 

 tractions occurred, but with the weak solutions, I could not 

 obtain any effect. I believe that a great many of the results 

 which appear as contradictory arise from neglecting to state 

 the season of the year in which the experiments are per- 

 formed. 



* Report on Muscular Contraction. By A. B. Duffin, M.D., in Beale's 

 Archives of Medicine. Isos. 10 and 11. Lond., April 1862. 



