Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Absence of Hæmoglobin

Abstract

MAY I remind Mr. Haldane (NATURE, Mar. 5, p. 352) that it was shown by Faraday, in 1834, that the interaction of hydrogen and oxygen, at a clean, cold platinum surface is prevented by the addition of carbonic oxide. Of course, we never discuss these fundamental things in text-books. Still, his observations are an interesting and useful addition to those of Warburg. I have considered the nature of the influence in my article on catalysis (NATURE, Aug. 22, 1925), published in the last Solvay Report. The effect of carbonic oxide upon animals would seem to be that of displacing oxygen from hæmoglobin. I am not aware of any proof that it inhibits oxidation, except by reducing the supply of oxygen. What is surprising is, that carbonic oxide is not generally a more active substance: unfortunately for it, fortunately for us, perhaps (though maybe the reverse holds good), its heat of oxidation is slightly lower than that of hydrogen—hence these tears.