HIGH OXYGEN EFFECTS ON ISOLATED STRIATED MUSCLE

Abstract

Isolated non-circulated frog muscle, muscle nerve and reflex arc were exposed in a compression moist chamber to O at 5 atmospheres. Muscular contractions elicited by electrical stimulation were recorded photographically. High O caused an initial increase but subsequent decrease in height of contraction to zero. This effect is partially reversible. The nerve fibre and neuromyal junction are apparently no more susceptible than muscle to this deleterious effect. High O evidently exerts some toxic action on tissue; probably through enzymatic involvement. These exptl. results do not displace the disfunction of Hb from its preeminent position as the etiological factor in O poisoning in the circulated animal.