Diagram of pathogenic organisms in illustration of the discussion on "Micro-organisms in Disease" at the 51st annual meeting of the British Medical Association, Liverpool, August, 1883 /

Abstract

The great object of Pharmacology is to obtain such a knowledge of the relation between the chemical constitution and physiological action of bodies as to be able to predict with certainty what the action of any substance will be. One of the most important steps towards this object was made by Crum-Brown and Fraser, who showed that the introduction of methyl into the molecule of strychnia or thebaia changed the tetanising action of those poisons on the spinal cord into a paralyzing one on the ends of the motor nerves. DRS. T. L. BRUNTON AND J. T. CASH ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION, 3rd. To compare the action of ammonia on muscle and nerve with that of other substances nearly allied to it in chemical properties, and belonging to the group of alkalies. 4th. To examine the action of acid and alkali upon muscle independently of the chemical composition of the acids or alkalies employed. 5th. To extend the research on muscle and nerve to the elements belonging to the group of alkaline earths. General action of Ammonium Salts. From experiments with ammonium chloride, sulphate, phosphate, tartrate, benzoate, and hippurate, Feltz and Ritter concluded that ammoniacal salts all had a similar action, producing convulsions and coma, slowing of the pulse and lowering of the temperature. They considered the action to be the same in kind, but differing in intensity. The convulsions produced by ammoniacal salts were shown by Funke and Deahna to be similar to the tetanus produced by strychnia, differing from it only in the fact that a single convulsion instead of a series of convulsions was produced bv the poison. The cause of this result they believed to be the rapid production of paralysis of the motor nerves by the ammoniacal salt, which prevented the occurrence of more than one tetanic convulsion.