PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. Physiological Chemistry. i. 101 The Composition of the Air in the Tracheal System of Insects. AUGUST KROGH (Skand. Arch. PhysioZ. 1913 29 29-36). -The tracheal system in the hind legs of the grasshopper can be rapidly and extensively ventilated by the respiratory movements of the insect. About 20% of the contained air can be renewed by one breath. The oxygen percentage of the air of the hind legs is high during rest (16%) but after exhausting muscular exercise it is reduced t o 576. The percentage of carbon dioxide is always much lower than the oxygen deficit and a large part of the carbon dioside formed in the tissues must be carried away by other means than through the trachea=. Saline Perfusion of the Respiratory Centre in Frogs; the Effect of Calcium Chloride and Potassium Chloride.I). R. HOOKER (.I. P~~TWUXCO~. expt. Z'hr. 1913 4 443-451).-M7h 11 the respiratory centre is perfused with a suitable salt solution i t continues active for several hours. If the salt solution contains balanced quantities of calcium and potassium removal of the potassium depresses and of the calcium excites the centre. Increase of potassium depresses and decrease excites. Increase of calcium excites and decrease depresses. W. D. H. TAT. D. H.i. 102 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Chemical and Morphological Investigations on the Im- portance of Cholesterol in the Organism. IV. The Cholesterol Content of the Blood of Difierent Animals and t h e Influence of Cholesterol Intake especially with the Food. L. WACKEJX and W.~ H I J E C K (Arch. mpt. Path. Pharm. 1913 74 416-441).- Simple shaking of fluids (blood bile etc.) with ether chloroform etc. for the purpose of extracting lipoids is not free from error for the other colloid constituents of the fluid are affected. Cholesterol in the blood is contained in the corpuscles in the free state; the white corpuscles contain five times the amount of that in the red corpuscles. The blood fluid contains cholesterol partly free partly as esters. Defibrination does not affect the cholesterol. The relationship of the free to the combined cholesterol varies in the animals used (rabbit calf dog horse) from 1 1.7 t o 1 3.3. It is affected by nutrition muscular work breathing and other factors. By feeding on free cholesterol the amount of free cholesterol in the blood serum is increased but that in ester form is still more increased; it may reach twenty-two times the normal.The same result follows subcutaneous administration ; the corpuscles are but little affected. I n growing animals cholesterol accelerates growth leading especially to deposition of fat. The suprarenal cortex is richer in cholesterol and other lipoids. The same is true f o r other organs (liver kidney spleen etc.) Continued adminis- tration leads t o disorders of the alimentary canal and to arterial sclerosis. W. D. H. Chemical and Morphological Investigations on t h e Im- portance of Cholesterol i n the Organism. V. The Cholesterol Content of t b e Blood of t h e Dogfish (Scyllium catulus) under the Influence of Dyspncea. W. HUECK (Arch.expt. Path. Pham. 191 3 74 443-449).-The blood-plasma of Scyllium contains very little lipoid (0*05%) and about half of this 0*02% is cholesterol. The red corpuscles contain only free cholesterol (0.08%) ; the plasma contains free cholesterol (0.01 5%) and cholesterol esters (0.005%). I n narcosis and in the dyspneic condition which follows exposure to air the cholesterol esters of the blood quickly rise to tenfold the normal amount and the free cholesterol is doubled. W. D. H. Chemical and Morphological Investigations on the Im- portance of Cholesterol in t h e Organism. VI. The Influence of Muscular Work on t h e Cholesterol Content of t h e Blood and Supra.rena1 Bodies. EDWIN PICARD (Arch. w p t . Pnth. Pharm. 1913 74 450-460).-1n dogs muscular work affects the amount of cholesterol in the blood and in the suprarenal cortex in opposite directions.If the work is prolonged and increasing the cholesterol esters of the cortex fall and of the blood rise. I n short with rapid muscular exercise the amount iiicreases in the cortex and slightly falls in the blood. W. D. H. The Permeability of Blood-corpuscles for Dextrose. P. GYORGY (Riochen?. Zeitsch. 191 3 57 441-455).-1t baB been shownPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 103 by Rona and others that the blood-corpuscles of sheep are impermeable to dextrose whereas those of dog and man are permeable. Experiments were carried out with the corpuscles of sheep to ascertain whether they could be made permeable either by alteration of the hydrogen ion concentration of the artificial medium in which the corpuscles were suspended by means of regulators (phosphate carbonate o r acetate mixtures) or by the addition of sugar to the whole blood in the presence of hzemolytics (present in quantities below those necessary t o produce hzemolysis) and in the presence of various salts such as those of calcium or aluminium.The results obtained were however negative. S. B. S. The Behaviour of the Maltase of the Blood-serumof Fed and Fasting Animals. T. KUMAGAI (Bioclmn. Zeitsch. 19 13 5 7 375-379) .-The hydrolysis of maltose by the blood-serum obtained from fasting dogs takes place more rapidly than by that from fed animals. Quantities of serum which when obtained from fed animals are inactive produce distinct hydrolytic action when obtained from fasting animals.The results confirm those previously obtained by Kusumoto (A. 1909 ii 69). S. B. S. The Gastric Secretion at Birth. ALFRED F. HEM (Amer. J. Dis. Children 1913. 6 264-276).-New-born infants secrete a good deal of hydrochloric acid before any food is given; it was found in fifty-one out of fifty-two cases. The amount is variable. The gastric juice in unfed new-born children also contains pepsin rennin and lipase. W. D. H. Pancreatic Enzymes in Infants. I. ALFRED F. HESS (dmer. J. Dis. cfddven 1912 4 205-218).-1n infants it is easy to obtain the duodenal contents by a long catheter ; the pancreatic juice aspirated off in this way contains all the normal enzymes but the total secretion is very scanty during the first week of life. Amylase increases in amount with age so also does the total juice. Even in marasmic children the amouo5 secreted although thin is abundant and contains all the enzymes although i t is weak in lipase.I n these children the gastric juice is scanty. W. D. H. Pancreatic Enzymes in Infants. 11. In Acute Intestinal Indigestion. ALFRED F. HEW (8naer. J. Dis. Children 1913 5 268-2 72).-In acute indigestion (alimentary toxEmia) the lipase of the pancreatic juice is deficient although the other two enzymes are present in considerable amount. This is not a general charac- teristic of all febrile conditions. The lack of lipase may be related t o fat intolerance which is often seen in this condition. W. D. H. Fermentation Processes in t b e Digestive Tract of Ruminants and Pjgs. J. MARKOFF (Biochem.Zeitsch. 191 3 57 1-69).-The partly digested food was removed from the first stomach of oxeni 104 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. by means of a stomach-pump described and figured and trans- ferred to the lower bulb of a modified Pfluger gas pump. The gastric contents thus obtained were then allowed to ferment and the gases produced were removed and submitted t o analysis in a modified Haldane gas apparatus. The details of the method are fully described and the apparatus is figured in the text. The carbon dioxide methane and hydrogen produced by fermentation were estimated and also the amount of carbon dioxide which is produced by the direct treatment of the gastric juice with acids. This is derived from the carbofiates secreted in the saliva which in the case of oxen is large in amount.Attention is incidentally called t o the fact that diastase is not present in this saliva. The addition of sugar causes increased production of carbon dioxide due to the formation of organic acids of about the same molecular weight as butyric acid. The contents of the other parts of the alimentary tract than the first stomach of freshly killed animals (oxen and pigs) were also removed and submitted to fermentation by the above-described methods. I n this way the fermentation in different parts of the alimentary tract was examined after ingestion of different kinds of food and the losses of energy value of the food-stuff s owing t o fermentation was thereby determined. The results are illustrated by a large number of gas analyses which are mainly of technical inksrest.S. B. S. The Fate of Protein Digestion Products in the Body. YII. The Absorption of Amiao-acids from the Blood by the Tissues. ~JONALD D. VAN SLYKE and GUSTAVE M. MEYEP ( J . B;ol. Chem. 1913 16 197-212).-The disappearance of amino-acids from the circulation after intravenous injection is rapid and due to their absorption by the tissues without undergoing any immediate change. I n the muscles there is a saturation point beyond which the acids are not absorbed (75 t o 80 mg. per 100 grams); the capacity of internal organs is greater (125 to 150). The removal from the blood is never complete; after a fast of several days the blood still contains O*OOS-O.OOS%. A t this point the amino- acids of the blood are in equilibrium with those of the tissues.Transference from organ 60 organ or from mother to fetus may occur. The process is not wholly osmotic because normally the con- centration of amino-acids in the tissues is five t o ten times greater than in the bhod. Probably the tissues adsorb the acids mechani- cally or else a loose compound is formed between the tissue-proteins and the acids. W. D. H. The Fate of Protein Digestion Products in the Body. IV. The LZICUS of Chemical Transformation of Absorbed Amino- acids DOXALD I). VAN SLYKE and GUSTAVE 311 MEYER (J. B i d . Ch~m. 1913 16 213-230).-Not only are amino-acids injected into the blood a.bsorbed by the tissues but absorbed amino-acids disappear rapidly from the liver. The amino-nitrogen of the liver may be doubled after injection of amino-acids into the blood but in two hours it returns t o normal; in the muscles there is in this time noPHYSIOLOGICAT CHEMISTRY.i. 105 appreciable fall ; the disappearance from kidney intestine pancreas and spleen is also less rapid than from the liver. The decrease in the liver is accompanied by an increase of urea in the blood. This supports the view so long held that the liver is the main organ where catabolism of protein digestion products takes place. The liver being so ready t o get rid of absorbed amino-acids maintains indefinitely its power to remove these substances from the circu- lation; and i t is only when the entrance is unnaturally rapid as in injection experiments or when the liver is degenerated that this organ is unable t o cope with the supply; the kidney then assists by excreting them unchanged.Each tissue is probably able to synthesi-se its own proteins from the amino-acids which it absorbs from the blood. W. D. H. The Fate of Protein Digestion Products in the Body. V. The Effects of Feeding and Fasting on the Amino-acid Content of the Tissues. DONALD D. VAN SLYKE and GUSTAVE M. RIEYER (J. Bid. Clronz. 1913 16 331-234).-The amino acids not only serve as tissue-building material but also occur as inter- mediate breakdown products of the tissue proteins. Starvation therefore would not necessarily mean a disappearance of the tissue amino-acids; i t might even increase the amount. This view is supported by experiments on dogs in various degrees of inanition; male dogs only mere used t o avoid complications due t o pregnancy.The failure t o increase the free amino-acid content of the tissues by high protein feeding indicates furthermore that when nitrogen is retained in the organism it is not t o an appreciable extent stored in the state of digestion-products but as body protein. W. D. H. Endogenous Metabolism of the Pig. I. The Effects of Acid and Basic Salts and of Free Mineral Acids on the Endogenous Nitrogen Metabolism. E. V. MCCOLLUM and D. R. HOACL~ND (J. R i d . Chem.. 1!?13 16 299-316).-D4t t are presented which show that the endogenous metabolism of the pig reaches its lowest level when the animal has an abundant supply of carbo- hydrates together with a salt mixture of an alkaline character. The total output of nitrogen derived from endogenous sources can be greatly increased without changing the output of creatinine.The additional nitrogen excreted on an acid diet is in the form of ammonia. The pig is not able to use the nitrogen of the urea fraction to neutralise the acids of the food but draws additional nitrogen from the tissues for the production of ammonia. W. D. H. Endogenous Metabolism of the Pig. 11. The Influence of Fat Feeding on the Endogenous Nitrogen Metabolism. E. V. Blr:CoLr,unr and D R. HOAOLAND (.7 Biol. Chom. 19 I 3 16 3 17-320)- If fat is given as the sole source of energy there is no sustained rise in the nitrogen output of pigs which have been reduced to their lowest level of nitrogen metabolism by long-continued feedingi. 106 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. on starch; but i t may lead to a considerable elimination of creatine.The total creatine + creatinine may be greatly increased without a corresponding rise in the total nitrogen output. The possibility of the acid or basic character of the ration influencing creatine production is suggested. Endogenous Metabolism of the Pig. 111. The Influence of Benzoic Acid on the Endogenous Nitrogen Metaboliem. E. V. MCCOLLUM and D. R. HOAGLAND (J. Biol. Chem. 1913 16 321-326). A good deal of the nitrogen wh'ch appears as urea in pigs reduced to the lowest level of endogenous protein metabolism may be converted into glycine when benzoic acid is given and excreted as hippuric acid. Benzoic acid does not raise the total nitrogen excreted unless very large quantities are given ; the urea-nitrogen may then be less than 20% of the total; it causes no change in the creatinine output.Endogenous protein metabolism presents two types; one can be stimulated by acids leading to the production of ammonia or by benzoic acid leading to the production 07 lzippuric acid ; the other measured by creatinine remains unaffected. W. D. H. W. D. H. Formation of Sugar from Fat. RUDOLF ROUBITSCHEK (Pfiiigeds Archiv 1913 155 68-73).-Adrenaline does not cause glycosurin in the case of dogs completely free from glycogen. Glycosuria sets in immediately however when the liver is enabled to make glycogen from the glycerol component of an oil. It is requisite that the oil shall have passed through the intestine and given up its glycerol component. E. F. A. The Diet and Metabolism of Eekimos.AUGUST KROGH aud MAXIE K~oatr (Meddelelser om Groodand 1913,51 Reprint. 52 pp).- The normal diet of Eskimos contains an excessive amount of protein (280 grams) and much fat (135 grams) while the quantity of carbohydrate is very small (54 grams) of which more than half is the glycogen of the meat eaten. This diet has no injurious effects whatever; the people are capable of prolonged work and have great endurance towards cold and other hardships. Uric acid diseases are very rare if they occur at all. The large quantities of seal meat are well absorbed and utilised. The loss of nitrogen in the faxes amounts to 3 to 5 grams per day. Details are given of the composition of the urine in diffeIent parts of the day and of the respiratory exchanges. The " specific dynamic action " of the protein works out as 8.6 5% of the calorific value of the protein catabolised.The dietary habits of the Eskimos are very like those of the carnivora and these people are able t o retain a large amount of protein for a certain period exceeding twenty-four hours and t o utilise it as a source of energy with very little loss. Metabolism Studies on Cold-blooded Animals. 11. The Blood and Urine of Fish. W. DENIS (J. Bio2. Chem. 1913 16 389-393) .-The non-protein nitrogen urea ammonia uric acid W. D. H.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 107 and creatinine wem estimated by the methods of Folin and his colleagues and the results stated f o r numerous fish in a table. In elasmobranch fishes the urea in the blood is high but in teleosts i t is lower than in mammals.The ammonia fraction of the blood is high. Uric acid is present in elasmobranch blood in the merest traces but in teleostean blood in moderate amount; the amount in the urine is small in both classes. The analysis of one composite specimen of urine from the goose fish (Lophius piscatorius) is given ; this is a representative teleost ; the most noteworthy points are the large amount of undetermined nitrogen and the creatinine is almost entirely replaced by creatine. It is possible that in fishes nitrogenous waste may be eliminated by some organ other than the kidney. W. D. H. Studies on Growth. I. Growth on Vitamine-containing and Vitamine-free Foods. CASIMIR FUNK (Zeitsch. phwsiob. Chwm. 1913 88 352-356).-Young chickens were fed on various diets and their growth watched.Those fed on ordinary chicken food grew normally; on polished rice they died quickly from beri-beri. On unpolished rice they did not develop disease but did not grow. On unpolished rice plus yeast they grey comparatively slowly; on unpolished rice plus sarcoma tumour (Rous) they grew more slowly still. I n each batch some of the birds were inoculated with the tumour; the inoculated specimens grew more rapidly. From the last-named observations no conclusions are drawn a t present ; but from the others the conclusion is drawn that the vitamine which prevents beri-beri is a different one from that which stimulates growth. The chemistry of the ‘‘ growth vitamine ” is not yet known. It is suggested that the vitamine undergoes metabolic changes in such organs as the pituitary gland.W. D. H. The Influence of Butter-fat on Growth. THOMAS B. OSBORNE LAFAYETTE B. MENDEL EDNA L. FERRY and ALFRED J. WAKEMAN (J. Rid. Chem. 1913 16 423-437).-The growth-promoting ‘‘ vitamine ” of milk is found in the butter-fat fraction ; its chemical nature is not known. The experiments were made on rats. W. D. H. Parentera1 Nutrition by Intravenous Injection. V. HENRIQUES and A. C. ANDERSEN (Zeitsch. phqaiol. Chem. 1913 88 357-369).- A method is described by which it is possible to keep animals (goats) alive for a considerable time by intravenous injections of a nutritive mixture. The mixture is composed of almost completely cleaved flesh (about 15% of the nitrogen in peptide form) dextrose sodium acetate and salts. The animals put on nitrogen.Protein synthesis is therefore possible without the digested protein producb passing through the intestinal wall. W. D. H. The Lipoids of Ancient Egyptian Brains. W. MAIR (J. Path. Ract. 1913 17 179-184).-Whereas fresh brain contains noi. 108 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS cholesteryl esters but only free cholesterol the brains of mummies 3000-4000 B.c. and even of Copts 500 A.D. contain esters. Thus the free cholesterol in recent brains amounts to 11.3%; of the Coptic brain the total cholesterol is 8*4% of which 8 is in ester form. I n the brains 3000 to 500 B.c. the total is from 0.68 to 0*83% and that as ester from 0.43 t o 0.5. I n ancient brain (4000 B.c.) the little cholesterol present (0.04%) is all in the form of esters.Details are also given of nitrogen phosphorus ash etc. The Coptic bodies were packed in salt before burial; the older ones not. The effect of time on chemical reactions is probably the same as the effect of heating. Preparation and Saponiflcation of Cholesteryl Esters. W. MAIR (J. Path. Bact. 19 13 17 185-1 90).-Chnlestjeryl esters occiir in areas of brain softening; these are saponifiable by boiling for four hours in a N/5-barium hydroxide solution in 90% methyl alcohol. The lipoids in ancient Coptic brains are not saponifiable in this way. Various esters were therefore examined; those with lower fatty acids are saponifiable; those with higher fatty acids are not saponifiable by this method. Lauric palmitic and stearic acids however form two kinds of ester with cholesterol; if prepared from the chloride the ester is not saponifiable; if prepared from the fatty acid the ester is saponifiable by the method mentioned and differs in melting point solubilities and crystalline characters from the other.The esters in necrotic brain are either those of the latter class or are eaters of lower acids. W. D. H. W. D. H. The Relationship between the Protein and Total Nitrogen and the Hydrogen Ion Concentration in the Cerebrospinal Fluid. AXEL BISGAARD (Biachom. 2-itsch. 1913 58 1-65).-The protein can be conveniently estimated by the method of Roberts and Brandberg according t o which the maximum dilution of the liquid which is still capable of giving a turbidity with nitric acid (Heller’s test) is ascertained. The author gives the experimental details of the process.A similar method can be applied when ammonium sulphate is used instead of nitric acid. The physio- logical limits of the ammonium sulphate reaction lie between the numbers 0 and 2 (dilutions) whereas those of the nitric acid reaction lie between 6 and 20. I n cases of dementia para7yticn there is an increase of total protein in the solution accompanied by an increased percentage of protein precipitable by half-saturated ammonium sulphate. These increases are absent in cases of cerebral tumour cerebral syphilis and acute meningitis. Formalin forms compounds with the proteins and alters the reaction of the liquid t o nitric acid and ammonium sulphate. The total nitrogen was estimated in small quantities in the liquid by a combination of the methods of Kjeldahl and Nessler which arc described in detail by the author.The protein nitrogen calculated from the nitric acid reaction amounts t o from 10 t o 207L of the total. The physiological limits of total nitrogen lie between 0.01 and 0.025%. The residual nitrogen is seldom less than 0.009%. I n organicPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 109 diseases of the central nervous system the relationship between protein and total nitrogen increases. The hydrogen ion concen- tration of the cerebrospinal fluid exceeds the value p = 8-10. The Phosphatides of the Heart and Other Organs. S. B. S. HUGH MACLEAN (Biochem. Lef,tsch. 19 13 57 132-142).-1t has been the custom hitherto in the extraction of lipoids from the heart and other tissues to extract first with ether and then with alcohol and i t has been generally assumed that the two extracts yield different lipoids.It is now shown by the author that this double extraction is unnecessary as the alcohol and ether both extract the same lipoids. The alcoholic extract is however contaminated with other sub- stances from which the lipoids cannot be extracted by the methods ordinarily employed (solution in ether and precipitation from this solution by alcohol acetone etc.). The alcoholic extract can be purified by suspending it in water and carefully adding acetone. The lecithin then separates leaving the nitrogenous impurities in the water. I n addition. to lecithin and cruorin the heart muscle contains traces of a diarninomonophosphatide similar in properties to the substance described by Stern and Thierfelder and by Thudichum.A similar product has been obtained by the author and by Dunham and Jacobson from the kidneys. The substance from the heart muscle may be derived from the nervous tissue contained therein. S. B. S. The Perfused Heart. I. Anaesthetics and Inorganic Saltrs. W. BURRIDGE (Quart. J expt. PIqsiol 1913 7 145-166).- Anzesthetics produce three kinds of contraction in the frog’s ventricle ; their depressing action is antagonised by calcium salts; depression of initiation and conduction are similarly antagonised. Damage to the sarcoplasm is believed to underlie an action of anaesthetics which results in increased amplitude of contraction. W. D. H. Tbe Perfused Heart. 11. Action of Acids and Alkalis. W.RURRTDGE (Quart. J. expt. Physiol. 1913 7 l67-lS3).-Alkalis produce in small concentration a type of ventricular contraction which depends on the calcium salts in the perfusing medium; greater concentrations cause “ alkali-rigor.’’ Acids also produce two types of contraction; certain organic acids cause a slowly developing rigor which destroys the contractile material ; inorganic acids produce a quickly developing contraction. The action of lactic acid is intermediate. Acids act probably by altering the permeability of cell membranes t o calcium or potassium salts. This can be neutralised by a phosphate but not by a bicarbonate. W. D. H. The ‘( Spontaneous ” Evolution of Hydrogen Sulphide from the Liver and from White of Egg and the Nature of the Thiol Group. MAX HAUBDIANN (biochen~.Zeitsch. 19 13 58 65-91) .-Fresh minced liver either after warming or treatmenti. 110 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. with alcohol (SO-100%) or phenol (4-go%) evolves “ spon- taneously ” hydrogen sulphide the evolution lasting for several days. This evolution is dependent on the thiol group present in the liver which can be detected by the sodium nitroprusside reaction. Other animal organs and yeast give a similar reaction and hydrogen sulphide evolution. “ Natural ” egg-white does not evolve this gas as it contains no thiol group. Two reactions appear to explain the hydrogen sulphide evolution (a) the formation of polysulphides from potassium sulphide solutions especially on addition of phenol; ( b ) egg-white after treatment with poly- sulphides and coagulation by alcohol and phenol also evolves hydrogen sulphide.As a pre-existing thiol group is absent in egg- white Heffler’s hypothesis for the explanation of hydrogen sulphide on addition of sulphur is not sufficient. S. B. S. Urea Formation in the Liver. A Study of the Urea- forming Function by Perfusion with Fluids Containing (a) Ammonium Carbonate and (b) Glycine. CYHUS H. FISKE and HOWARD T. KARSNER (J. Biol. Cheni. 1913 16 399-418).-The surviving liver is able t o convert ammonium carbonate perfused through it partly into urea. Whether any is converted into amino-acids has not been determined. The perfusion of the liver of the cat or rabbit with homologous defibrinated blood containing as much as 44 mg. of nitrogen as glycine per 100 C.C.leads to no increase of urea. W. D. H. Nitrogenous Constituents of Dried Cod (Gadus Brandtii). K . YOSHIMURA and M. KANAI (Zeitsch. physiol. Chem. 1913 88 346-351).-0ne thousand grams of dried cod containing 17% of water yielded the following creatinine 1-40 grams; betaine (as chloride) 0.44 gram ; rnethylguanidine (as picrate) 0.7 gram ; taurine 13 grams; alanine 0.5 gram; and a little glutamic acid. Creatine and choline were absent. E. F. A. Carbon Metabolism. The Physiological and Pathological Signiflcance of the Labile Carbon of the Urine. ENRICO REALE (Biochcm. Zeitsch. 1913 57 143-155).-The C/N ratio of tho urine is markedly increased after administration of carbohydrates. The procentual relationship of the carbon t o hydrogen in the three persons investigated was increased on an average by 11.28%.With a normal person on standard diet the administration of 100 grams of dextrose increased the relationship by a average number of l2*32% where?s tEe isodynamic quantity of fat caused an increase of only 6.3%. When the bread of a standard diet is replaced by meat there is a diminution of the C/N ratio. The effect of diet on the labile carbon (that is carbon of the urine which can be oxidised by hydrogen peroxide) is still more marked. Whereas the labile carbon on a standard diet is 6% of the total the administration of dextrose causes a rise to 12%. The administration of fat causes however a diminution of this number to 4.58%. After a meatPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 111 diet the amount of labile carbon in the urine on the second day was practically negligible.Thyroid administration caused a diminution of the percentage of labile carbon t o 2.76% of the total. Even the administration of 100 grams of dextrose under the influence of thyroid medication did not bring the percentage of labile carbon up to the normal. The presence of labile carbon in the urine appears to indicate incomplete ntilisation of the carbo- hydrates. S. B. S. The Influence of Drugs on Uric Acid Excretion. 1%. ABL (AYCIL. ex@ Path. Pharrn. 1913 74 119 -163).-Di~uinution iu the excretion of uric acid is brought about by calcium salts barium sulphate bism-uth subnitrate and uzara ; increase of the action of atophan by calcium saits barium sulphate uzara and atropine. Increase of uric acid excretion is produced by mustard arsenic colchicin thorium-X sulphur santonin glycerol choline chloral hydrate neurine strontium piperazine and other drugs.Important factors in producing an effect are solubility ease of absorption and local action in the alimentary canal. There is a parallelism between the flow of blood in the portal system the secretion of the digestive glands and the output of uric acid. Isolation of Carrotene from Ox Gallstones. HANS FISCHER and HEINRICH ROSE (Zeitsch. physio!. Chem. 191 3 88 33 1 -333).- A yellowish-red microcrystalline powder separates from the ethereal extract of ox gallstones. This is identified as carrotene m. p. 178-180O. It is considered to be derived from the food of the animal and not to have been formed in the body. The Formation of Dextrose from Propionic Acid in Diabetes mellitue.ISIUOE GREENWALD (J. Biol. Chcnt. 19 13 16 375-378).-Ringer showed that in phloridzinised dogs the administration of propionic acid is followed by the elimination of '' extra dextrose '' equal in amount to that capable of being formed by propionic acid if all three carbon atoms are used. I n the present observations on severe cases of human diabetes the same is true but there is as a rule no rise .in the excretion of the acetone group of substances. Membranes and Narcosis. The Colloidal Theory of Narcosis. S. LOEWE (Biochem. Zeitech. 1913 57 161-260).- The author reviews a t length the conception of the cell membrane as a polyphasic gel-like structure in which the hydrophil colloid is the carrier of the properties influencing the selective permeability and in which lipoids exist as an essential component.The phenomenon of narcosis produces a change in this system and it is assumed that the action of the narcotic consists in changing the hydrophil lipoid constituent of the colloid into a hydrophobe condition without loss of its water of combination. This causes a change in the permeability of the membrane and an injury to its normal functions indicated by a weakeqing of the bioelectric differences of potential and the loss of selective per- W. D. H. E. F. A. W. D. H.i. 112 AHYTLtACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. meability. To test this theory experimentally the changes of conductivity of the membrane under influence of various narcotics was investigated. It was assumed that the colloid particles which can adsorb the narcotic become surrounded by a non-conducting layer and are thus no longer effective as regards permeability for electrolytes.If now the hydrophil previously partly-conducting particles become non-conducting the adzition of narcotics should result in a decrease in the conductivity of the membrane. A method is described for preparing membranes from colloids. A parchment membrane is covered with the lipoid solution in organic solvents and the solvent allowed to evaporate. By an arrangement the apparatus f o r which is figured in the text this membrane is clamped between two parchment papers which cover the ends of two bent tubes the whole system forming a U-tube. Salt solutions are placed in each limb and the mn,mbr;;tne is allowed to imbibe water.Electrodes a t accurately known distmces apart are introduced into each limb and the influence of Lhe addition of narcotics on the con- ductivity can then be investigated. It can hardly be said however that the results of experiment confirm thO theory. The author draws attention t o the great difficulties of the experimental method employed and t o the great possibilities of error. S. B. S. The Relation between Non-protein Nitrogen Retention and Phenolsulphonphthalein Excretion in Experimental Uranium Nephritis. C. FROTHINGHAM R. FITZ OTTO FOLIN and W. DENXS (Arch. int. Med. 1913 12 245-258).-Tn iiranium-nephritis in rabbits the excretions of phenolsulphonphthalein in the urine and non-protein nitrogen and urea of the blood vary from the normal and return t o the nornial as the nephritis heals.The degree of variation is parallel to the amount of kidney injury. During the attack the urinary phenolsulphonphthalein drops and the non- protein nitrogen and urea of the blood increase. I n these experi- ments both the uranium nitrate and the phenolsulphonphthalein were administered subcutaneously. W. D. H. The Action of Univalent Alcohols on the Surviving Mam- malian Heart. YAS. KUNO (Arch. oxpt. Path. Ylimrm. 1913 74 399-415).-From experiments on the rabbit's heart perfused with Locke's solution to which alcohol was added the following con- clusions are drawn; the action of alcohols on the heart increases with the rise in their boiling points; the effect is never stimulating but always the reverse.The alcohols dilate the coronary blood- vessels. If a heart is perfused with an akohoiic solution and then brought back to its former condition Ey Locke's solution each successive perfusion with the alcohol produces a smaller effect. W. D. El. The Capacity of Carbohydrates to Act as Antigens. T. KUMAGAI (Biochem. Zeftwh. 1913 57 380-4 I3).-'l!he author confirms the results of Weinland according to whom the repeated subcutaneous in jectioii of sucrose in large quantities into young dogs causes invertase to appear in the serum after 12-15 days.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 113 He was however unable to confirm Abderhalden and Kapfberger’s statement (A. 1910 ii 1093) that injections of small quantities of sucrose into fully-grown dogs produces invertase in the serum after a very short interval.On the other hand he confirms the results of Abderhalden and Brahm (A. 1910 ii 319) who produced this result when large quantities of sugar were injected. The results of the latter investigators were not however constant but i t is now shown that a constant result can be obtained if a definite interval of some days is allowed t o elapse before the serum is investigated. A new property of the antiserum produced by the sucrose ‘‘ antigen” was also discovered namely that i t acts also on dextrose and lzvulose. The former is converted first into a lzvorotatory and then into a dextrorotatory substance which latter product is also obtained by the action of the antiserum on lavulose. These conversion products have been obtained pure (the details are not given in this paper); the dextrose is first converted into lavulose and the latter is converted into a dextrorotatory di- saccharide.The sucrose immune serum also acts on lactose and the dextrose thereby prodaced is also converted into lzvulose (and finally a disaccharide). It also hydrolyses soluble starch much more energetically than a normal serum. The serum when perfectly fresh is somewhat inert. On being kept at room temperature for four hours i t becomes very active. The fresh serum appears therefore to contain a pro-amylase. Sucrose -immune serum loses its activity as regards sucrose and its hydrolysis products on keeping but the activity can be restored by the addition of normal serum. The immune serum produces a precipitate with soluble starch.The immune serum can be produced by the methods both of active and passive immunisation. If the serum of an animal which has been immunised by the injecticin of sucrose is injected into another animal (even of a- different species) the serum of the latter rapidly acquires the properties of an immune serum. When starch maltose and dextrose are injected into animals (employed as antigens) the only effect observed is a larger or smaller increase in the amount of amylase in the serum. When on the other hand lzvulose lactose o r galactose is employed as antigen not only is there an increase in the amylase but the immune serum contains invertase and is capable of converting dextrose into lzvulose and the latter into a disaccharide. The results indicate that the production of amylase depends on different factors t o that of invertase for the former is increased in the serum after injection of dextrose lzvulose and d-galactose and all the polysaccharides which yield these sugars on hydrolysis whereas the latter is produced only after injection of lzvulose galadose and the disaccharides from which they can be produced.It is probable that the immunisation takes place in stages the polysaccharide being first hydrolysed yielding laevulose or galactose both of which are then converted into a new sugar (both yielding the same product) which is the immediately acting antigen. S. B. S. VOL. CVI. i. ii. 114 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Antagonism of the Properties of Uuanine and Adrenaline. DESQREZ and DORI EANS (Compt.vend. 1913. 157 946-947).- Subcutaneous injection of guanine previous to similar injection of adrenaline diminished the toxicity of the latter to a certain extent in that the injected rabbit or guinea-pig survived the control animal receiving no guanine often by several hours. Similarly guanine very noticeably reduced the glycosuria ordinarily produced by adrenaline. W. G. Lipoid Anaphylaxis. FREDERICK P. WILSON (J. Path. Bact. 1913 17 163-l68).-The attempts to sensitise guinea pigs to various lipoids gave negative results. The possible presence of minute amounts of protein with the lipoids may be the cause of apparently positive results. The [Physiologicd Action of] Aromatic Mercury Gom- pounds. 111. FERDINAND BLUMENTHAL and KURT OPPENHEIM (Biochem. Zeitsch.1913 57 261-296. C4irnr)ar-e A. 1911 ii 51 7 1017).-The toxicity of the various salicylmercury com- pounds in which the mercury is directly attached to a carbon atom was investigated. Asarol the double salt of sodium hydroxy- mercurisalicylate OH*Hg*C,H,(OH)*CY),Na with sodium mono- hydroxybutyrate is the most poisonous to rabbits and rats. Then follows mercurysalicyl OH*C,H,<EF/O dissolved in diethylene- diamine; then follow embarin and then en6so1 a combination of rnercurysalicyl with arsenic. The percentage of mercury in the two latter compounds is less than in the others. The toxicity of the following compounds was also ascertained-sodium hydroxy- mercurinitrobenzoate sodium hydroxymercuriacetylaminobenzoate (toxynone) NHAc*C,H,(Hg*OH)*CO,Na mercuric chloride mercuric paminobenzoate mercuric chloride mercurous chloride mercuric o-aminobenzoate mercuric paranucleate mercuric potassium nitrite and mercuric potassium thiocyanate.Various methods of administration were employed. The results are chiefly of therapeutic interest. It was found that the chief organs con- cerned in the excretion of mercury were the kidneys and intestine and these show the chief anatomical changes in animals poisoned by mercury. S. B. S. The Effect of Asymmetric Nitrogen Atoms on Physiological Activity. P. P. LA1i)LAw (.I. Phnwnacol. mpt. Thpr.. 191:j 4 461-469).-An asymmetric nitrogen atom may exercise a profound influence on physiological activity. I n the case of the Zcanadine methochlorides the P-salt is twelve times as active as the a-salt.I n the d-isomerides the &variety is only three times as active as the a-salt. In both cases the lworotatory salt is weaker than the dextrorotatory salt but not in equal degree. The differences may possibly be connected with differences in solubility. The Influence of the Subsidiary Alkaloids of Opium on t h e Action of Morphine. WALTHER STRAUB (B~ochom. Zrituch. 19 13 57 156-160).-8 reply to certain criticisms of h-leissner (A. 1913 i 1279). S. B. S. W. D. H. W. D. H.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. i. 11.5 The Action of Codeine and Thebaine on the Intestine J. PAL and E. POPPER (Biochom. Zeitsch 19 I S 57 492-49 i ).-Ttte authors have shown that the opium alkaloids can be divided into two classes in respect to their action on the intestine. The chief effect of the one class (the phenanthrene group) which includes codeine and thebaine is t o excite the wall of the intestine increas- ing its tonus and peristaltic action.This action is illustrated by four tracings. The results are not in accordance with those obtained by Meissner (A. 1913 i 1279). I n the case of thebaine it is suggested tha-t the alkaloid used by Meismer was contaminated with papaverine which belongs t o the second group of opium alkaloids and exerts an antagonising action to thebaine. No explanation can be offered to explain the discrepancy of the results obtained with codeine. S. B. S. The Influence of 2-Phenylcinchonic Acid (Atophan) on Uric Acid Elimination. UTTO FOLIN and HENRY LYMAN (J. Phn~macol. e y p t . l’her. 19 13 4 539-546). - The s t tern s r l t i n ~ d v hy rere! t clinical observers that atophan increases the excretion of uric acid is confirmed.This is supplemented by estimations of the uric acid in the blood by the Folin-Denis method. Four cases of gout and one of albuminuria were utilised; the uric acid of the urine rose and that of the blood sank. The increased output is due to elimina- tion of accumulated uric acid in the blood due to kidney ineffi- ciency. A rise in other nitrogenous excreta occurred in some cases but not in all. I n a sixth case (severe gout) there was not a high amount. of uric acid in the blood during the greater part of the course of the disease; but later on it rose and then atophan produced the usual result. The drug acts on the kidneys and does not “mobilise” deposited urates.I n a healthy man the drug caused an increase in the urine and a drop in the blood uric acid. W. D. H. The Constituents and Effects of Strophanthua Drugs. EWALD HESSEL (Chem. Zentr 1913 ii 869-870 ; fr I r n Sitzwnysbor. A b h a d l . n n . t w f (7’es. Rmtock. 1913. 5. pp. 43. Cloutpale Siehurg A. 1913 i 640).-The hzmolytic action and toxicity of sodium g-strophantate and allied products is described. The crude sodium salt contains what is probably a cholesteride which nullifies the activity of the substance. On purification through the medium of the lead or barium salt the hzmolytic action becomes evident. J. C. W. Action of Protovercttrine and Aconitine on the Neuro- murcular Apparatus of the Frog. (Mws) MARJORY AlACNAUGFITON (Quart. J . expt.Ph.yl/siol. 191 3. 7 131-1 4 4 ) . - - T h ~ action of proto- veratrine on nerve closely resembles that of yohimbine so that it exhibits fatigue after action and recovery on rest. Protovera- trine fatigue is however most lasting and there is no “snap reflex,” and no Wedensky effect.” The action of aconitine on nerve resembles that of protoveratrine. If the protoveratrine is applied to the muscle the myoneural i 2i. 116 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. junction is affected and stimulation through the nerve produces rapid and permanent fatigue ; aconitine is without this action. W. D. H. The Toxic Action of Products obtained from the Animals of the same Speciee. FRIEDRICH SIMON (Biachem Z~itsch. 1913 57 337-374).-Livers of rabbits were allowed t o autolyse o r were treated with pepsin or trypsin the products of digestion were treated with alcohol and the precipitated powder was then dried. The effects of the administration to rabbits of the various prepara- tions thus obtained was investigated. The temperature changes and the onset of albuminuria were regarded as symptoms of toxic effect. The toxic effects were however in no case very marked nor could they be considered as constant. The products were also injected into rats. Relatively large doses of digestion products produced short-lasting convulsions or increase in rapidity of respiration lasting for some hours. The Tolerance Shown by Elasmobranch Fish towards Certain Nephrotoxic Agents. W. DENIS (J. B i d Chew&. 19 13 16 395-398).-1n the dog fish large doses of uranium nitrate and potassium chromate cause little or no accumulation of waste nitro- genous products. The elimination of these substances by the kidneys is normally small and the animals are apparently able t o utilise the liver or perhaps the intestine as an excretory organ. S. B. S. W. D. H.