9 2 
Scientific Proceedings (43). 
modifications of Ringer's solution, in 0.7 per cent. NaCl solution, 
in isotonic saccharose, glucose, glycerine and alanin solutions. 
In all the cases investigated it has been found that increase in 
weight goes hand in hand with increase in length and that decrease 
in weight is accompanied by decrease in length. The changes 
in weight and the changes in length are roughly proportional to 
each other in rate and amount. 
A suggestion of the nature of the chemical change which brings 
about contraction is found in the following facts. Smooth 
muscle usually gains in weight and lengthens in Ringer's solution 
which has the following formula: NaCl, 0.65 gram; KC1, 0.02 
gram; CaCU, 0.025 gram; NaHC0 3 , 0.02 gram; H 2 0, 100 c.c. 
If for the NaHCOs, 0.01 gram of lactic acid be substituted, the 
gain in weight and lengthening do not occur ; there may even be a 
small loss in weight and shortening. Larger amounts of lactic 
acid may cause gain in weight and lengthening. If the muscle 
be stimulated with a strong interrupted Faradic current after it 
has been for some time in the weakly acid Ringer, it responds to 
the stimulation by lengthening slightly instead of by shortening. 
These facts may be explained by supposing that smooth muscle 
responds to stimulation like striated muscle by the production of 
a small amount of lactic acid. Under ordinary circumstances 
this production of lactic acid causes the fibers to lose fluid and 
shorten ; but if the fibers have been artificially acidified before the 
stimulation takes place, the production of more acid on stimulation 
causes the fibers to take up fluid and lengthen. 
55 (58o) 
Preliminary note on the action of some internal secretions upon 
erectile tissue. 
By ISAAC OTT and JOHN 0. SCOTT. 
[From the Medico-Chimrgical College of Philadelphia.] 
To study the action upon erectile tissue we employed the penile 
organ of the dog. The length of it was measured by a pair of 
compasses, from the bulb to the tip. The width of the bulb of 
the organ was measured in the same way. Then the filtered in- 
fusion made with distilled water was injected into a vein and the 
