Studies on the superior connections of the left branch of the bundle of His-Tawara with the interventricular septum

126

THE

AMERICAN

HEART

JOURNAL

precipitate, suspended in Clark’s solution, was placed in a Straub preparation of the frog heart to be tested for digitalis, and the results were recorded on a kymogram. These curves were compared with curves for known digitalis. A total of twenty-nine specimens of fluid from twenty-four patients was examined. Eighteen fluids were from known digitalized patients. Thirteen of these gave positive evidence of digitalis by the biologic method. The results were questionable in four cases and negative in one case. Two specimens from patients with questionable digitalization gave doubtful results. Nine specimens of fluids from patients with tuberculosis, neoplasm, or cirrhosis of the liver, none of whom had been given digitalis, were used as controls. None of these showed any digitalis effect. Although no exact quantitative determinations fluids showing curves indicative of a digitalis covered was significant and sufficient to cause the conditions discussed.

were effect, clinical

carried out for the thirteen we believe the amount resymptoms in patients under

The Knudson-Dresbach reaction for the quantitative determination of digitalis glucosides was unsatisfactory in our experience. The qualitative Keller-Kiliani test for desoxycarbohydrate, though not specific and not highly sensitive, gave positive reactions for five of eleven specimens of fluid showing the digitalis effect by the biologic method. It is believed that active digitalis substances are present in the body fluids of digitalized patients and that they can be recovered. Further studies are necessary, however, to confirm or to discredit the idea that these substances may give rise to symptoms of digitalis intoxication following diuresis. AUTHOR. Condorelli L. : 1: 26, 1937.

The

Pneumomediastinum

in Cardiological

Diagnosis.

Cardiologia

The author describes his anatomical investigations and presents evidence in favor and posterior pneumomediastinum. The of a ( ( septum fibrosum ” between the anterior significance of pneumomediastinum in cardiological diagnosis is discussed, with special reference to the condition of adherent pericarditis. AUTHOR.

Studies on Mahaim, I., and Benatt, A.: Branch of the Bundle 08 His-Tawara Cardiologia 1: 61, 1937. In men there are of the interventricular main bundle.

the Superior Connections of the Left With the Interventricular Septum.

branches from the left bundle These arise high septum.

of His which supply the up near the bifurcation

muscle of the

These branches are very small and can only be demonstrated by most careful and systematic investigation. In normal conditions they are of very little importance but they may account for some anomalous results observed in clinical cases of branch-bundle lesion. AUTHOR.

Blumberger, Deutsche

The

IF.: med.

The Differentiation Wchnschr.

62:

1377,

of Two

Types of Sino-Auricular

Block.

1936.

Partial S-A block can be differentiated one type shows the equivalent of the

in much Wenckebach

the same way as A-V block. period; the second does not. L. N. K.