Abstract
Rana pipiens were used exclusively and all injections were given in the dorsal lymph sac. Temperatures from 40° F. to 80° F. were studied. With doses of 0.0006 mg. per gm. (about 0.02 mg. for a 30 gm. frog) tetanus was constantly obtained at all temperatures. With doses of 0.0005 mg. per gm. (about 0.015 mg. per frog) strong tetanus was obtained constantly at temperatures about 40° F. and about 80° F. It was occasionally seen at 55° F. and never at temperatures from 65° to 75° F. With doses of 0.0003 mg. per gm. strong tetanus was constant about 40° F. and occurred frequently at 80° F., but was never seen at temperatures from 55° F. to 70° F.
In regard to the time elapsing before tetanus; with minimal doses it is very variable but on the whole is less the higher the temperature. Thus with a dose of 0.0006 mg. per gm. tetanus came on at 40° after 1/2 to 4 hours; at 55° after 1 to 2 1/4 hours; at 70° after 3/4 to 2 hours; and at 85° after 1/2 to 1 hour. With a dose of 0.001 mg. per gm. tetanus came on at 40° after 1/4 to 4 hours; at 55° after 3/4 to 1 1/4 hours; at 70° after 1/4 to 3/4 hours. With a dose of 0.001 mg. per gm. tetanus came on at 40° after 1/4 to 4 hours; at 55'after 3/4 to 1¼ hours; at 70° after 1/4 to 3/4 hours.
These results show that tetanus may be induced by strychnin at low and at high temperatures by doses which will not cause tetanus at temperatures between. They also show that the interval between injection and the onset of tetanus grows less with higher temperatures, although there is no constant ratio.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.