Abstract
As reported in the meeting of the Society held on November 15, 1918, calcium lactate as well as magnesium lactate suppresses the tetanic convulsions of thymus-fed tetanic larvæ of salamanders. Since it has been claimed that milk also has this effect, it was interesting to test its action on tetanic larvæ.
Curves are demonstrated which show the percentage of tetanic individuals among two series of thymus-fed larvæ of the salamander, Amblystoma opacum. The animals of one series were kept in a weak milk solution, those of the other series which served as controls were kept in tap water. It is evident from the curves that milk was extremely effective in suppressing the tetanic convulsions, since of six animals so treated only three suffered from convulsions (and these suffering only one attack), while the other three larvæ never showed convulsions at all.
But notwithstanding the favorable influence of milk upon the convulsions, milk like Mg and Ca salts did not prevent the development of permanent paralysis and permanent spasmodic contractions of the muscles.
Therefore, it must be pointed out again that the development of the paralysis of the muscles, in the presence of the salts and in the absence of convulsions, proves that tetany is due to a specific toxic substance which is not antagonized by calcium, magnesium, or milk. Furthermore, it appears that tetany (or at least some of its symptoms) is due to the toxic action of this substance upon the central nervous system, as indicated by the paralysis of almost the entire muscular system. How far these nervous lesions are responsible for the tetanic convulsions and how far the convulsions are due to the deficiency of calcium, remains to be determined.
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