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28
the formula C,, H,, O, has been assigned. Of these only penicillic
acid was found to be toxic to higher animals. It could not be
extracted from the mycelium but only from the medium. It was
known before that different species differ in this respect. STURLI
(23) found that an organism isolated from maize mush from Buko-
wina did not render the medium toxic while the mycelium was.
very toxic.
The authors point out further the very interesting similarity in
empirical formulae and chemical behavior between penicillic acid
and the so called lichen acids. As is well known, certain lichen
acids have also been found to be toxic to various animals. Both
Kopert (17) and Zopr (29) confirm this fact, and StAHL (22) has made
use of it in his well known protection theory. As to the nature of
the poisoning from penicillic acid the experiments conducted by
ÅLSBERG and Brack on mice, quinea pigs and frogs show that ty-
pical phenol poisonings resembling those the writer obtained on
rabbits resulted. In fact, the symptoms follow closely those of
phenol poisoning in man. At first the nervous system is stimulated
resulting in trembling and convulsions with rapid heartbeat and
high blood pressure. Then the nervous system is paralyzed result-
ing in low blood pressure and dead through suffocation if the dose
is fatal.
It will have become clear from the above that bee-paralysis probably
is a phenol intoxication, as it exhibits every characteristic of such an
intoxication. The stimulating effect of the poison is responsible
for the agitaled and restless state of the bees. When at a later
stage of the disease the nervous system is paralyzed voiding of the
excrements becomes just as impossible as flight. Consequently these
accumulate and distend the rectum and the whole abdomen.
That bee-paralysis actually is some kind of poisoning has long
been suspected by practical bee-keepers, although the source of the
poison was a matter of conjecture with them as already stated. It
is, however, of much interest to read the remarks of FOLLENIUS (8)
on the disease, as they reveal the very essentials of the trouble in
very clear language. He says (pag. 93): »Wie bei Menschen nach Ver-
giftung Krämpfe und Lähmungen auftreten, so lassen die Krankheits-
zeichen der Maikrankheit auch auf Vergiftung schliessen. Störungen
des Nervensystems, der Muskeltätigkeit und Lähmung der Atmungs-
organe sind die Folgen der Vergiftung und Ursachen der Flugun-
fähigheit. Eine Vergiftung liegt ferner zum Grunde, wenn der ganze
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