Abstract

1. The phenol coefficient of furfural, measured from its bactericidal action, is 0.26.

2. A 2 per cent solution of furfural entirely inhibits the action of yeast on dextrose. A 1 per cent solution delays only this fermentation. Weaker solutions have no effect.

3. Furfural is about one-half as toxic for gold fish as phenol, and about one-third as toxic as formaldehyde for the same animal.

4. Furfural in large doses has a paralytic effect on frogs similar to chloral. There are evidences of stimulation of the central nervous system when smaller doses are used but this is more marked in cats. Locally it is corrosive and anesthetic.

5. Furfural in increasing doses causes unsteady gait, inability to stand and finally paralysis in rabbits. Respiration is at first stimulated and irregular. Cyanosis is marked with larger doses. The reflexes may be increased at first and then decreased with larger doses. The fatal dose by stomach is about 0.8 cc. per kilogram of body weight.

6. The action of furfural on white mice is similar to that on rabbits.

7. When in 5 per cent solution, 0.6 cc. of actual furfural per kilogram of body weight causes only a slight drowsiness in cats; 0.12 cc. of the pure drug per kilogram causes increased irritability, increased respiration, salivation, and finally strychnine-like convulsions.

8. In dogs, the action is much the same as in cats, except that convulsions are elicited rarely. Respiration is paralyzed before the heart stops.