On the absorption of toxins by the nerves

Abstract

In an article published in the Archiv für experimentelle Pathologie und Phanuakologie, Vol. 49, Meyer and Ransom stated as a result of their experiments that tetanus toxin enters the central nervous system through the motor nerves, and moreover that it passes to the cord by way of the axis cylinder. Since that time Meyer (1905) has demonstrated that diphtheria toxin after injection into the experimental animal, could be demonstrated in the peripheral nerves. In a large number of experimental animals injected with both tetanus and diphtheria toxin, I have been able to show that the toxin could be demonstrated in the peripheral nerves leading from the inoculated area, and by the use of the right dose, and at a certain time, free toxin could be demonstrated in the cord, and yet the other tissues of the body including the blood, liver, spleen and kidneys showed no free toxin.

Not only is this true for diphtheria and tetanus but it is likewise true for the toxin produced from B. Botulinus and also for colloidal ferric hydrate. In the case of colloidal ferric hydrate, by removing the nerves and cord, and subjecting them to treatment with a solution of hydrogen sulphide, I was able to detect the presence of iron. By using small doses I was able to show the presence of these colloids in the nerves near the points of injection and in the spinal cord, but of none whatever in the other tissues, except at the points of inoculation.

Guillian has demonstrated practically the same phenomena by injecting a solution of ferric chloride into the sciatic nerves of dogs and rabbits, and later injecting into the general circulation potassium ferrocyanide. He found prussian blue only in the part of the nerve above the point of injection.