Abstract
In several communications we have reported that the injection of solutions of strychnin, morphin or acid fuchsin in cardiectomized frogs is liable to bring on convulsions of these animals. The lymph hearts continue to beat for a while after the cardiectomy. But since the lymph hearts assist the circulation only by emptying their contents into veins, it seemed to be evident that the removal of the blood heart eliminates also the circulatory function of the lymph hearts. I have therefore assumed that the above mentioned alkaloids reach the central nervous system by way of the lymph spaces, which are connected throughout the body, and which are capable of serving as a path for distribution by means of a peripheral mechanism. In a recent paper by Abel (Jour. of Pharmacology, III, 581, 1912) in which our facts were confirmed and in which it was admitted that the activity of the posterior lymph hearts can not come into consideration, the statement was made that “the appearance of convulsions in the experiments of Meltzer and his pupils with acid fuchsin, morphin and strychnin depends entirely on the integrity of the anterior lymph hearts.” This statement is supported by a report of experiments in which, after destruction of the anterior lymph hearts, in addition to cardiectomy the alkaloids under discussion did not bring on any convulsions. I shall not enter here into a discussion of the entire subject. I merely wish to let you witness some indisputable facts. You see here a series of frogs from whom the thoraco-abdominal viscera have been removed, and in addition, the lymph hearts were destroyed by cauterization. All these animals were injected about an hour ago with strychnin; the injections were made in some animals into the dorsal lymph sac and in others into the femoral sacs of both thighs.
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