Biological Role of Magnesium

Abstract Fersman (1934) commented on the relatively unimportant role of magnesium in biochemical processes. The comparatively limited radius of its ions, the stability and relative insolubility of its compounds prevent its taking an active part in the reactions of living matter. On the other hand, we have the statement of Vernadskii that in the plankton film of the ocean, in the ordinary accumulations and more massive growths, the amount of magnesium-containing chlorophyll must reach the order of 10-4 per cent by weight, if not higher, so that a small quantity of magnesium, entering into the composition of the chlorophyll-complex of the plankton, ultimately regulates the main part of the oxygenating function of living matter, the creation of free atmospheric oxygen. The material summarized by us likewise affords evidence of the importance of the role of magnesium in biological processes. All this, however, does not justify sharp differentiation between the biological role of magnesium and its role in biochemical processes. In all probability these processes are conditional to each other, although they are not identical processes. It is important to note the established and incontestable role of magnesium in many enzymatic processes in both the plant and animal kingdoms. The antagonistic action between magnesium and calcium, resulting from artificial changes in the ratios of these elements in soil, plants, and animals, can hardly occur under natural conditions, and, conversely, it must be assumed that a labile equilibrium between these elements is always maintained. The depressing action of magnesium ions on the central nervous system acquires considerable biological significance, since this permits the assumption that these ions in the animal organism may facilitate inhibitory processes in the nerve cell and insure the normal course of catabolic and anabolic processes. The narcotic and cholinolytic effects of magnesium constitute the basis for the wide therapeutic use of magnesium salts in medical practice.</jats:p

Using beer as a re-test breakfast

The use of repeated breakfasts to determine the secretory function of the stomach has been known for a long time. Back in 1901, Zimnitsky reported on his experiments with repeated feeding of dogs operated on according to the Heidenhain-Pavlov method, which were given 200 grams of white bread for the first test breakfast and after 2 hours again 200 grams of white bread; later Zimnitsky reported on re-feeding two patients and two healthy people in parallel, who were given one breakfast, consisting of 35 grams. white bread, 250 k. from. tea and after an hour the same breakfast was given again. In 1922 and 1923, Vandorfy published his data on the use of refreshed breakfasts as Belastungsprobe *. In 1922 prof. Zimnitsky reports on his method of studying the gastric cell and during the last decade the method of re-breakfast (meat broth) was promoted by his students to determine the types of gastric cells (normal type, asthenic, inert, isosecretory and torpor) and pointed out the reversibility of these types.</jats:p

Social shifts in the dynamics of the population of the USSR

The reports made by representatives of the USSR at the International Demographic Congress in Rome and at the International Planning Congress in Amsterdam are of great interest to the general medical community. Knowledge of the social changes that have taken place in our country, as a result of the implementation of the five-year plan for the socialist reconstruction of our economy, will provide each doctor with an understanding of the immediate tasks facing healthcare at this stage.</jats:p

Public catering as a social, hygienic and cultural problem

The catering tasks are most clearly expressed in the article in Gas. Pravda dated March 16, 1930, which states that: the problem of rational organization and widespread deployment of public catering is an organic part of the struggle for the industrial financial plan, for increasing labor productivity, for raising real wages, for socialism. The correct organization of catering is one of the most important prerequisites for the successful implementation and overfulfillment of our production programs.</jats:p

On arsenic excretion by the lungs in the clinic of arsenic poisonings

In our previous works we pointed out the importance that has in the clinic of occupational poisoning the question of arsenic excretion by the lungs. We used the technique of determining small concentrations of arsenic in the exhaled air by biological means in experiments on rabbits and in people who received subcutaneous injections of therapeutic doses of arsenic, which we used together with A.A. Preobrazhensky, was carried out in two cases of arsenic poisoning.</jats:p

Biological determination of low concentrations of arsenic in exhaled air

In the report of Dr. Obukh and the Central Institute for Labor Protection on the state of health of the workers of the arsenic workshop, it was emphasized that the organization of studies of exhaled air for arsenic a few hours after the end of the work is of great interest and that given the exhalation of arsenic by the lungs, taking into account its enormous surface, it is possible it would be to get a more complete picture of the balance of receipts and outputs of As from these workers.</jats:p

Electrocardiographic examinations of participants of the 1st Volga Region Spartakiade and the 1st Spartakiade of Trade Unions of Tatarstan

Electrocardiographic examinations of sports participants have only recently begun to be introduced in the practice of medical examinations of athletes and sportsmen. With our examination we aimed to reveal abnormalities of cardiac activity, which are observed in athletes during running for 5000 meters. Participants of the Volga Region and trade union Spartakiad ran this distance in 17-18 minutes.</jats:p

Dynamics of articular rheumatism among workers in Kazan

That rheumatism is a disease of great social importance is recognized by all authors both in our country and in other countries. But no capitalist country has the favorable conditions which our Soviet Union has at its disposal to organize a comprehensive study of this issue. The importance of this issue is determined by the place of rheumatic diseases in the general morbidity of workers. Much attention is given by clinicians to the etiopathogenesis and clinic of rheumatic diseases. Not a few difficulties are experienced by the doctor in understanding the reaction of the body to this disease. Many authors point out that there is insufficient clarity in the clinic of rheumatic diseases, there is no unified classification of rheumatic diseases.</jats:p