706 
PROFESSOR HARLEY ON THE INFLUENCE OF 
Nicotine. 
Various experiments were performed with nicotine, and it was invariably found to 
produce the same result ; namely, to retard the normal oxidation processes in blood, 
and at the same time to diminish the exhalation of carbonic acid. The following expe- 
riment may be quoted as an illustration of the fact. 
Two portions (62 grammes) of defibrinated ox-blood, after being thoroughly arte- 
rialized, were placed in receivers with 100 per cent, of atmospheric air, and both were 
treated during twenty-four hours exactly alike, except that to one was added 6 drops of 
chemically pure nicotine. 
Gas from pure ox-blood after twenty-four hours’ action with 100 per cent, of atmo- 
spheric air. Result : — 
No. 38. — In 100 parts of air. 
Oxygen . . .14 66 0X yg en 17*04 
Carbonic acid . . 2-38.1 
Nitrogen . . . 82-96 
Gas from ox-blood after twenty-four hours’ action with 6 drops of nicotine. 100 per 
cent, of atmospheric air. Result : — 
No. 39. — In 100 parts of air. 
Oxygen . . . 19-601 
Carbonic acid . 1*49 J 
Nitrogen . . . 78-91 
Total oxygen 21-09 
It is thus seen, as was before said, that nicotine diminishes the power of the blood to 
take up oxygen and give off carbonic acid, and thereby become fitted for the purposes 
of nutrition. 
Oxygen. 
Carbonic acid. 
Nitrogen. 
Total oxygen. 
In 100 per cent, of air from pure ox-blood 
14-66 
2-38 
82-96 
17-04 
Ditto plus nicotine 
19-60 
1-49 
78-91 
21-09 
Woorara Poison. 
Two portions of defibrinated sheep’s blood, after being thoroughly arterialized, were 
placed in receivers with 100 per cent, of atmospheric air, and kept, with occasional 
shaking, at a temperature of 15° C. during twenty-four hours. The treatment of the 
two portions of blood only differed in this respect, that to one nothing was added, while 
0-01 gramme of woorara was put into the other. The amount of blood in each case 
was 62 grammes. 
