Societies and Academies

Abstract

PARISAcademy of Sciences, October 20.—M. Daubreé in the chair.—The following papers were read:—Researches showing the power, the rapidity of action, and the varieties of certain inhibitory influences of the brain on itself or on the spinal cord, and of this latter centre on itself or on the brain, by M. Brown-Séquard.—Discovery of a small planet, by Mr. Peters (telegram from the Smithsonian Institution).—Observation of the planet 206, Peters, at the Paris Observatory, by MM..Henry.—Observations of declination, inclination, and horizontal intensity in the basin of the Mediterranean, by M. de Bernardiére. These observations were made during a voyage of the training-ship, La Flore, in 1878-79. The numbers for some twenty-six places are tabulated.—On whole functions, by M. Picard.—On the Laurent saccharirneter, by M. Laurent. Two improved models were presented, giving more light and distinctness, while the reflections in the tubes are suppressed.—New researches on the mode of union of cells of the mucous bodies of Malpighi, by M. Ranvier. These cells, formed of masses of protoplasm with nuclei, are united by protoplasmic filaments, which are common to them and each of which does not result from junction of two filaments placed end to end, nor is the nodule occupying their middle the mark of a junction or juxtaposition; it is an elastic organ, which allows of easy enlargement of the spaces destined for circulation of nutritive juices between the cells.—On asphyxic glycsemia, by M. Dastre. Cl. Bernard affirmed that a prolonged asphyxic state destroyed the glycogen of the liver, and made the sugar disappear from the blood. Some physiologists hold, on the contrary, that in accordance with Lavoisier's theory, sugar accumulates in the blood when the oxygen (for its combustion) is diminished. M, Dastre considers we must distinguish between the effects of rapid asphyxia, immediately consequent on withdrawal of oxygen, and the consecutive effects of slow asphyxia (such as wasting of tissues and exhaustion of reserves). Rapid asphyxia may be realised in two ways, making an animal breathe air confined in a closed vessel, or making it breathe in rarefied air constantly renewed. He tried both on dogs, and found the quantity of sugar in the blood to vary in contrary direction to the quantity of oxygen (less oxygen, more sugar).