STUDIES ON THE STIMULATING EFFECT OF ALTERNATING CURRENT WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL MODEL OF EXCITATION

Abstract

Alternating current (50 cycles) was applied to the electrochemical model of excitation consisting of an iron core coated with the excitable membrane and immersing solution such as nitric acid or NaNO₃ solution which was so prepared as to exert weak action of membrane formation, and change in the amplitude of the alternating current indicating change in impedance, and change in membrane potential were recorded to observe the stimulating action of alternating current. And the following results were obtained.
1. Change in potential and impedance of the core produced by continuous flow of alternating current was similar to that observed with direct current.
2. Stimulated process and change in impedance which were observed when, following the first current, the second was applied with different intervals between them, that is, the summation of stimulating action, were similar to those observed with the summation of two rectangular shocks.
Discussing the above results it was concluded that the advance in the stimulated process promoted by a phase of alternating current in which it was directed towared the core would not be brought back to the initial level by the reverse phase, but would remain in some degree, and consequently that, when summated by application of many cycles, it would at last evoke excitation.