PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. Physiological Chemistry. i. 121 The Absence of the Bromine Reaction for Tryptophan in Tryptically Digested Leucocytes. MORITZ WEISS (Bio- chent. Zeitsch. 191 9 98 116-120).-Tryptically digested leuco cytes do not give the bromine reaction for tryptophan. Putrified pus shows the presence of indole but only traces of indole deriv- atives can be denionstrated in it by the urorosein reaction (hydro- chloric acid and sodium nitrite). The pus cells give a strong Adamkiewicz-Liebermann reaction. M'hilst casein manifests a blue coloration leucocytes give a violet coloration in this reaction. It is concluded that a derivative of tryptophan but not tryptophan Origin of Odour. H. TEUDT (Deutsch. EssiginO. 191 9 23 160-162; from Chem. Zeutr. 1919 iii 239).-The author has beeii able to develop llis t8heory further by a consideration of the atomic models of Rutherford and Bohr and has deduced the causes which are -operative in setting the valency electrons within the molecule into such vibrations as produce odour (compare A.1919 i 607). The original paper must be consulted for details. The Chromium Reaction of Certain Tissues as an Adrenaline Reaction. W. STOELTZNER (Miinch. nted. Woch. 1919 66 584; from (,'hem. Z m t r . 1919 iii 60).-It has. not been observed previously that adrenaline gives the same reaction with chromic acid as certain tissues. A dilute pale yellow solution of potassium dichroniate beconies intensely brown after addition of adrenaline and gradually deposits a brown precipitate. The shade exactly matches the browii coloration assumed by the tissue when treated with dichromate aiid the chroiniuni reaction of the t,issue must therefore be due to adretialine. itself is concerned in the synthesis of leucocytes.s. s. z. H. W. H. W.i. 122 ABSTRACTS OF CHEBECCAL PAPERS. Presence of Haematoporphyrin in the Urine and Faeces of a Case of Acute Haematoporphgrinuria. WILHELM LOFFLER (Biochem. Zeitsch. 1919 98 105-116).-The coloured urine of a patient suffering from Landry’s disease was examined for hmatoporphyrin. The urine was precipitated with glacial acetic acid and the precipitate dissolved in potassium hydroxide. After reprecipitating and redissolving in N / 10-potassium hydroxide the fraction showed the typical spectrum of hmatoporphyrin. A por- tion of the hzmatoporphyrin was methylated by H.Fischer’s method. The compound thus obtained melted a t 262O (not sharp) and gave the same spectrum as Fischer’s preparation. The hydro- lysed methyl ester yielded the original hmatoporphyrin. 0.2 Gram of haematoporphyriii was excreted in twenty-four hours. On extracting the faeces of the same patient by Fischer’s bicarbon- ate method and with methyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid the pres- ence of small quantities of hzmatoporphyrin similar to that extracted by Fischer from a similar source was established. s. s. 2. The Action of Strophanthin on Colloids. GEORG PIETRKOWSKI (Biochem. Zez’tsch. 1919 98 92-104) .-The action of strophan- thin on optically invisible colloidal gold solutions produces an increase in the number of particles visible under the ultra-micro- scope. I n the case of an hydrophile colloid such as gelatin stro- phanthin inhibits imbibition. These facts it is suggested justify the conclusion that the increase in tonus in the cardiac muscles brought about by the action of this drug is due to the shrinking of the surface of the muscle fibres. The above experiments however do not explain the specificity of strophanthin. s. s. 2.