PERMEABILITY AND FATIGUE IN MUSCLE AND ITS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM OF ION ANTAGONISM

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Abstract
1. The fatigue of the sartorius muscle of the frog can be delayed by an excess of calcium chloride in Ringer's solution, although this solution does not preserve irritability of resting muscle as well as Ringer's solution. Therefore, in contrast to the view generally accepted today, the quantitative composition of the optimal solution depends upon the permeability of the cell. 2. This conclusion implies a quantitative difference in the efficiency of ions in relation to permeability. This is illustrated by observations on the increase of muscle tonus in solutions with high CaCl2 content. The change in tonus takes place in irritable muscle. 3. The effect of calcium on fatigue is specific. Neither Sr, Ba nor Mg can replace it. But these cations can delay the fatigue, although to a lesser extent than calcium, when added to Ringer's solution containing 8.1 M X 10-4 CaCl2. The cause of this specificity is discussed.

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