On Free Removal of Mammary Cancer, with Extirpation of the Axillary Glands as a Necessary Accompaniment
Authors: W. M. Banks
Journal: BMJ (1882)

HB,2,fBi2> °tt--t---RAA _1*d Oi -i arsenious acid solution contained i per cent. of the ox'ide, 'As20 the arsenite and arseniate of soda solutions contained each I per cent.of the element arsenic.From the formula As2 0, is easily calculated the quantity of the solution of arsenious acid which must be taken in order to contain as much of the element arsenic as given quantities of the arsenite and arseniate solutions.The strengths of all three would have been made equivalent to I per cent. of the element, but for the insolubility of arsenious anhydride.these solutions,definite quantities,-containing known and there- fore omiparable quantities of the element arsenic, were injected under the-skin of -the'back of frogs.The common English frog (Rana tem- toraria) was taken; and care was observed to select, Qfothepaerallel series of experimients, specimens as nearly as possible of the same size and condition.Each experiment consisted in the injection of three frogs with "the above arsenic preparations; for each frog, one of the arsenic compounds..The three injections were performed at the same -hour, one after-the othe'r, as speedily as possible.'Each frog was'then placed under a separate bell-jar, and observed.The observations ex- tended over two days, as a xul ; sometimes over three; they were taken morning, noon, and evening, The ex'periments were performed during the months of May and June I882; a few -during August.of the same year.Thus, cornparabli quiantities oif the element arsenic, in.three different.-states of combination, were administered to frogs chosen as nearly alike aspossile.The results obtainedaregiven initheformiioftables(pp. X1138. 3.Theheadiags chosen for the columns will not need explanation, ex- cept perhaps that described as " Death of the Central Nervous System".The evidence of this death is, that the frog neither moves spontaneously nor answers to any stimulus by volitional movements.The absen'ce of these latter in response to stimulation has been assumed to correspond with abolition of sensation.This absence of the more complex co- ordinated movements was at times to be noted whilst the less complex -co.ordinated movementsi constituting reflex action still persisted;but, as a rule, reflex action ohtlasted but a very short time the abolition of the more complex movements.Hence, practically, "Death of the Central Nervous System" corresponded to:I. Absence of spontaneous movement; 2 K--.Absence of volitional movement on stimulation;3. Absence of reflex action.Though these three occurred so nearly together as practically to con- stitute but one group, the above is the order of their disappearance.It may be further mentioned that, together with the above noted, the automatic centres of respiration and circulation ceased to perform their 1unctionis.It is clear 'that, with a peripheral apparatus, nerves, and aiuscles,-still efficient, the above indicates extinction of the functions ','of thjcentrl nervous apparatus of the'braip and spinal cord.The subsequent death of this.peripheral Eappartus is given in the.nest column, headed "Death of Muscular Tissue".The _4ierves _are left-olut, because their condition; is rather' less readily ,.azmined, and_ hence not so well adapted Jfor mparative 'fexamination.The sciatic nerves were, however, tested -in nearly every case; and it was established that, at the time of ' death'of the central nervous system", as above 'evidenced, the nerve-trunks still -conducted wellB;.and,further, that dieath of the nerve.trunikpreceded, as a rule, by a considerable period, -t-he death of the muscular tissue itself.Hence, then, the two test-tissues chosen are: z.That of the central nervous system; ;9a.That of the-muscles.-- --in the column headied " Remark;s," is given the peculiar.action on5the skin in the shape,of desquamation, whichi may vary from a slight sepa- ration of the epithelium to a condition in which this may be picked up or scraped off ip large lakes.T1is, condition has been fully described 'Anithe Yournl of PAysiology) vol.. i' In this same column, anything noteworthy at the time is reQrded.