90 
NITRITES. 
A few further tests were made to determine the relation of methem- 
aglobin producing substances, such as the nitrites, upon the symp- 
toms. The following two guinea pigs were given a subcutaneous 
injection of sodium nitrite. In thirty minutes the exposed mucous 
membranes appeared distinctly blue, and the guinea pigs were then 
tested for susceptibility. 
Controls showed that the quantity of nitrite used was not suffi- 
cient in itself to kill the guinea pigs. 
Table Xo. 16. — Sodium nitrite. 
1 
G.P. 
No. 
First injection. 
Inter- 
val in 
days. ^ 
Second injection. 
Result. 
9173 i 
0123 c.c. toxine No. 7+1/360 c.c. 
antitoxic horse serum (Mul. 
2439). 
106 
0.03 gm. sodium nitrite; 30 min- 
utes later 1 c. c. normal horse 
(roan) serum intraperitone- 
ally. 
Dead in 15 minutes. 
9168 
0.23 c.c. toxine No. 7+1/520 c.c. 
antitoxic horse serum (Mem. 
Inst.). 
106 
! 0.025 gm. sodium nitrite; 30 
minutes later 1 c. c. normal 
horse (roan) serum subcuta- 
neously. 
1 
Dead in 60 minutes 
ETHER. 
Besredka ® reported some interesting observations concerning the 
prevention of anaphylaxis by ether narcosis. He stated that if 
sensitive guinea pigs are etherized to the stage of complete relaxa- 
tion, and while in this state injected intracerebrally with normal 
horse serum and the administration of ether continued a short while, 
(if the narcosis is well conducted) the animals continue to sleep after 
the injection, and at the end of about half an hour awake without 
presenting the least symptoms of anaphylaxis. If the guinea pig is 
tested on the following day it will be found to be immune. 
Of eight guinea pigs upon which we tried this experiment with 
ether seven died, we believe, from the effects of the second injection 
of horse serum. It is our belief that pig Xo. 9581, which recovered, 
had masked symptoms while under the influence of the ether and 
probably would not have died anyhow, for we have a certain number 
of recoveries from the intracerebral injections of 0.2 c. c. of horse 
serum. It is true, however, that the narcosis masks the symptoms. 
« Annates de I’lnstitut Pasteur, Dec. 25, 1907, vol. 21, no. 12, p. 957. 
