THE INJURY CURRENT OF NERVE 
281 
It may, from the experience of many similar experiments, be definitely said that 
the results of this experiment, whatever be the assumption to test which it was made, 
or whatever the explanation offered, conclusively demonstrates an experimental fact 
capable of constant repetition, namely, that a short immersion in water leads to a 
great increase in the value of the potential difference between longitudinal surface and 
cross section of the nerve, and even, since the resistance is not proportionately 
increased, to a great increase in the injury current. 
Nor is this effect of an immersion in water confined to an effect upon nerve in 
any particular condition, for it is capable of being repeated upon nerves with very 
different previous histories. One condition, however, in which it is unattainable is 
worthy of especial attention, a long continued previous immersion in water, tor in 
this case there can be no question of the meaning of the exception. When the 
electrolytes in solution are all removed by processes of diffusion there con occur no further 
electrical phenomena. 
The following are briefly recorded further examples of this effect of an immer- 
sion in water : — 
(1) A Nerve Freshly Removed 
Sciatic nerve of cat on removal ... ... ... '024 Daniell. 
After 10 minutes in tap water ... ... ... -053 ,, 
(2) A Stale Nerve with Diminished Current 
Phrenic nerve of dog on removal ... ... - oo6o Daniell. 
After 3 hours in the moist chamber ... ... '00o8 ,, 
After 10 minutes in tap water ... ... ... 'Oioi ,, 
(3) A Nerve which has been placzd in Strong Salt Solutions 
Sciatic nerve of cat on removal ... ... ... 'oi^z Daniell. 
After 1 hour 40 minutes in 9% NaCl ... ... 'coio ,, 
After 45 minutes in tap water ... ... ... -0224 „ 
(4) Nerves which have Remained Long in the Body of a Dead Animal 
(rf) Sciatic nerve of dog removed 24 hours after death ... - oooi Daniell. 
After 10 minutes in tap water ... ... ... -0040 ,, 
(/;) Dog dead 3 days and 2 hours, during two days of which the body was placed in a refrigerator, 
and then for 24 hours was allowed to lie in a warm room (August). 
Sciatic nerve on removal ... ... ... "001 Daniell. 
After 5 minutes in tap water ... ... ... -003 ,, 
A short immersion was chosen under these circumstances, for it has been found that a long immersion in such 
a case results in a reversal of the injury current, a matter which will be further treated later. 
