CARBON DIOXIDE AS A NARCOTIC AGENT

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Abstract
1. The first cleavage of the fertilized eggs of Arbacia is entirely suppressed, or practically so, in the presence of amounts of carbon dioxide greater than those corresponding to a 40 per cent. saturation of sea water or a tension of approximately 300 mm. Hg. In the presence of smaller amounts of carbon dioxide cleavage is possible, but is greatly delayed. 2. Since a very considerable oxygen deficiency causes only a slight delay in the cleavage process, the factor of oxygen lack is probably a negligible one in the results here described. 3. The effects of a complete suppression of the cleavage process practically saturated with carbon dioxide are readily to exposures of twenty minutes. Beyond that point may appear, though after exposures of two and one 95 to 100 per cent. of the eggs ultimately divide. fter effects of exposures of moderate length to carbon comparatively slight, the delay in the first cleavage a little greater than the actual time of exposure. the relation [See equation in the PDF file] where a = normal cleavage time; x = time of exposure; and y = cleavage time of the exposed eggs) has been found to describe fairly accurately the results obtained at 21.4° (± 1.°) with sea water from 30 per cent. saturation to almost complete saturation.

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