Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-01-09

urchin they interfered with the life
processes, while salts whose atoms
were negatively charged stimulate
contraction. Professor Loeb discov-
cred that the presence Of both posi-
ltlvely and negatively charged
atoms were necessary. The phenom-
enum of life, he declares, Is due to
| the play between the different charges
or electricity in the molecules.
Commenting on the discovery of
Prof. Loeb. DR.. Garrett p. Serviss, Of
Chicago says:
Briefly stated. 1t has been discover
ed that our nerves, or at least the In
ner cores Of them, consist Of what Is
called n colloidal solution--that Is to
say, OF matter resembling gelatine
held in solution In water. before 1t
has iellicd or assumed the state Of a
stiffencd elastic mass, and these col
loidal particles in the nerves carry
charges OF positive electricity.
Whenever the nerve particles pass
from the colloidal condition into the
state of gelation. or, IN other words,
become jellied, the nerve experiences
a stimulation or becomes active.
Now, this passage of the nerves
from the dissolved TO the jellied state
is produced by the action of atoms or
ions, bearing charges of negative cleo
tricity. Whenever such charges are
introduced into the nerves the latter
are stimulated and contract.
This fact at once explains the action
Of certain chemical substances when
introduced into the human body, some
Of which tend to quiet the nerves and
others to excite them. The nerve
uuieting ions are those that bear
charges of positive electricity, such as
the atoms of sodium, potassium, cal
cium and hydrogen, and their presence
tends to keep the colloidal particles of
the nerves in state of solution, so
that the nerves remain inactive.
The nerve-stimulating ions are the
atoms Of such substances as fluorine
and chlorine. which carry charges Of
negative electricity, and when intro
duced into the system cause the nerve
particles TO coalesce or become jel-
lied, in which condition the nerve is
active, the degree of activity depend
ing upon the intensity Of the stmula-
tion.
Death appears to be the result OF
the stagnation of the nerves, result
ing from inability to respond to slim
ulation. How far the discovery of
the manner in which nerve action Is
or can be produced will enable physio-
logists to oppose the processes that
end in death can only be determined
by further experiments.
But without regard to any such pos
sible OF only to be hOped-for results,
the new discovery throws a food Of
light on many hitherto obscure prob
lens. 1t offers clear explanation,
for instance, of the effect of anaes-
thetics upon tliev body. Anything that
tends to keep the nerve particles in a
state of solution Quiets the nerves.
Now the nerve particles are largely
composed of fat and it is well known
That all anaesthetics dissolve fat
Hence when anaesthetics are intro
duced into the system they produce the
effect of positively electrified ions in
preventing the nerve particles from
coalescing, and thus they quiet the
nerves.
In similar manner the action of
whisky in arresting the progress OF
snake poison is explained, since snake
poison tends to cOagulate the nerve
substance thus causing death, while
J alcohol, If introduced quickly enough,
countcracts the coagulating tendency
and keeps the nerves in colloidal
condition.
Other familiar facts are also ex-
planned on the same principle. Heat
for instance, as everybody knows
, tends to quiet the nerves. provided the
, temperature is not too high, the rea
son being that the effect Of heat Is to
, prevent coagulatlon of the nerve sub
stapce. Cold, on the contrary, pro
duces gelation in the nerves, and con
sequent stimulation. But at higl
temperatures heat also produces gela
tlOI anu
One of the interesting conclusions
drawn from the discovery is thai
chemical stimulation Is identical will
electrical stimulation, because the
chemical substances that effect the
nerves do so through the electrical
charges that they carry. No doub
many theorists will endeavor to base
upon this fact electrical cures for dis
case. but only the most careful cxperi
Inentaton in the hands of thoroughly
scientific men can be depended upor
to give any valuable results.
Another suggestive fact is that nj
identity of stlmulativc action is indi
Gated between chemical ions and ligh
waves. The short light waves toward
the ultraviolet end of the spectrum
are In their action similar to the mega
tive ions which stimulate the nerves
While the long rays toward the ret
end resemble in their action the posi-
tive ions which quiet the nerves. Thus
a whole field of speculation is opened
up concerning the therapeutic valu,
OF light and the means of applying /
for the relief of human ills and tn,
prolongation Of life.
One other long standing puzzle tina