The heat production of nerve

Abstract

Attempts have been made before (Rolleston (1) Hill (2)), but without success, to determine the heat produced by isolated nerve as the result of stimulation. Efforts also have been directed towards measuring the extra oxygen used (Haberlandt (3), Adam (4)), and the extra carbon dioxide eliminated (Tashiro (5), Parker (6), Moore (22)). The increase of oxygen consumption was too small to be determined with any certainty. The increase, however, of carbon dioxide elimination seemed to be measurable, though wide differences appeared between the results of Tashiro and of Parker. Prof. W. O. Fenn also has informed us that he has succeeded, by an independent method, in measuring the extra carbon dioxide set free by nerve during stimulation. The following table summarises the relevant quantitative results available.