1897-98.] W. B. Brodie on Hydroxylamine Hydrochlorate. 57 
been previously injected into a pithed frog. If a crystal of the 
salt, however, were laid upon the muscle, its power of contraction 
diminished rapidly, and disappeared in about five or six minutes. 
Frogs’ hearts showed the most marked results. About a minute 
after the solution was first applied, the frequency of the beats was 
distinctly less, and this was followed very shortly by diminution in 
the amount of contraction. Both the frequency and amount of the 
contractions continued to fall until the heart ceased beating en- 
tirely. Usually the auricles continued to beat for a short time after 
the ventricle had ceased. 
In the case of the heart and nerve muscle preparations the 
muscle substance, after the application of the solution, was soft and 
gelatinous and very pale in colour, especially in the case of the 
heart. 
It seems clear that this salt of hydroxylamine acts as a poison to 
protoplasmic structures, but how it acts is not explained. Nothing 
at present can be said regarding the aldehyde theory. It seemed 
possible to me, however, that its action might be due to some 
reducing or deoxidising action. Hydroxylamine is said to be a 
powerful reducing agent, and the solution of the hydrochlorate 
certainly reduces a solution of chloride of silver in ammonia. 
Its action on blood-pigment is somewhat peculiar, and is the same 
whether the pigment be treated with a neutralised solution or a 
crystal of the salt, which is acid. The two dark bands of oxyhsemo- 
globin gradually fade and broaden out, but never absolutely dis- 
appear, whilst the part of the spectrum, from the commencement 
of the green to the violet, is darkened. It resembles the spectrum 
of alkaline hsematin, with the addition of these two faint bands. 
The single band of reduced haemoglobin is never seen. 
