Investigations dealing with the phenomena of “clot” formations. Part IV.—The diphasic erosive action of salts on the cholate gel

Abstract

In the last communication† of this series, attention was called to the fact that the cholate gel is eroded when immersed in solutions of sodium chloride and other chlorides, and that this erosive action can be “antagonised” by addition to the chloride solutions of relatively small amounts of calcium chloride. The analogy between this action and the biological “antagonistic” action of calcium towards sodium and other salts was also commented upon and illustrated by examples from the researches of Loeb, Osterhout and other investigators. In addition, however, to the antagonism between calcium salts on the one hand and sodium, potassium and magnesium salts on the other hand, Loeb has shown in the case of Fundulus that there is evidence of antagonism between potassium and sodium salts, that is to say that the toxic action of one salt can be rendered more or less innocuous by the addition of the other. Osterhout has shown that certain marine plants will retain their vital activities for a longer period in a solution which contains, in addition to sodium and calcium salts, also potassium and magnesium salts, and has formulated the conception of “balanced” salt solutions as necessities for the maintenance of the maximal activities of plants.