32 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Physiological Chemistry. Artificial Parthenogenesis. By S. J. HUNTER (Amer. J. Yhysiol., 1901, 0, 17?-180).-The experiments were made on the eggs of Ada&, and show that sea water concentrated by evaporation will produce the formation of imperfect larvz. This is regarded as con- firming Loeb’s osmotic theory of artificial parthenogenesis. W. D. H. Influence of Spermotoxin on Reproduction. By MDLLE. C . DE LESLIE (Compt. y*end., 1901, 133, 544--546).--On inject,ing into the white male rat spermotoxic serum from the guinea pig, it loges allPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 33 power of reproduction, The sterility lasts for 16-20 days. Sterility may be similarly produced in the female. The injection does not otherwise influence the well being of the animals; the males even continue to produce mobile spermatozoa ; these, however, have lost their power of fertilisation.Quantitative Observations on Gastric Digestion. By FRIEDRICH KRUGER (Zeit. Biol., 1901,41, 467-483. Compare Abstr., 1901, ii, 561).-The general belief that the action of pepsin, like that of other enzymes, is inhibited by the presence of digestive products is well founded. The addition of peptone to the mixture lessens the digestive action. Tables are given which show that the inhibitory action of the digestive products is proportional to their quantity! pro- vided the amount of hydrochloric acid is kept constant ; in ordinary digestion, this is not the case ; the loss of power is greater and is to be in part explained by diminution in the amount of free acid.The amount of free hydrochloric acid which is most favourable is from 0.18 to 0.4 per cent. Blood Analysis in Relation t o Metabolism. By G. ASCOLI (PJuger’s Avchiu, 1901, 87, 103--!15).-1t is pointed out that in studying metabolism, the examination of the excreta alone daes not teach the details of the metabolic cycle. Intermediate stages, especially in relation to nitrogenous metabolism in the organs, should be searched for, by the examination of the blood for such substances as purine compounds, carbamic acid, creatine, &c. W. D. H. W. D. H. W. D. H. Influence of Sodium Nitrate on Metabolism in Dogs. By E. ROST (Chenz. Ce?zti*., 1901, ii, 864 ; from Arbb. Kais. Ges.-A,, 18, 78-99).-Small doses of sodium nitrate have practically no effect on metabolism. Large doses given in water produce diuresis and a ‘ nitrogen-sparing ’ action.If insufficient water is given, there is an increase of proteid kataboliem. Among different sodium salts, the carbonato produces the greatest increase in the breakdown of proteid material in the body. By ERWIN VOIT (Zeit. Biot., 1901, 41, 502-549 ; 550 -571).-These two papers are largely critical. The main conclusion arrived a t is that proteid kata- bolism in starvation is largely influenced by the amount of reserve and circulating fat in the body. When the quantity of fat is large, no increase of proteid disintegration occurs, but when it sinks below a certain limit, disintegration begins. Length of life during starvation t.herefore depends largely on the amount of f a t to start with.Death is due, not to destruction of the total cell-masses of the body, but on katabolic changes in a few organs of essential importance. The second paper deals at greater length with the influence of fat on proteid katabolism. R& of Purine Derivatives in Human Metabolism. Ey KICIIARD EURIAN and HEINRICH SCHUR (Pfliiger’s Archiv, 190 1, 87, 239-354. Compare Abstr., 1900, ii, 489).-In birds, uric acid is W. D. H. [Proteid Metabolism in Inanition.] W. D. H. VOL. LXXXII. ii. 8:3 4 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. the main end-product of nitrogenous metabolism. I n mammals, the question is a debatable one whether the uric acid and other purine derivatives which these animals excrete are to be regarded as terminal or intermediate products.A full and critical review of the extensive literature on the subject shows how diverse are the views which are held. The purine derivatives of the urine have R double origin, exogenous from the nuclein and purine compounds of the food, and endogenous from tissue metabolism. The problem is complicated by the fact that the organism not only forms purine compounds, but it also has the power of destroying them. This property is especially possessed by the liver, so that the excretion of purine compounds is no measure of the amount found unless a t the same time the amount destroyed is also known. The relationship between the two processes can be ascertained by the injection of known quantities of purine compounds either into the blood stream or subcutaneously. Such experiments show mainly the fate of exogenous purine, but endogenous purine is apparently acted on in the same way.The result of the experiments shows that uric acid and purine derivatives are in the main intermediate producte of metabolism, but that a certain fraction of these intermediate products is excreted as such by the kidneys. This fraction varies in different animals, but in animals of the same class the integration factor (that is, the number by which the urinary purine must be multiplied in order to obtain the total) is very constant ; in carnivora i t is 20-30, i n the rabbit 6, in man 2 ; that is, in man, half the uric acid formed is excreted in the urine. W. D. H. Amount of Fluorine in Teeth and Bones. By JODLBAUEH, [with JOSEF BRANDL] (Zed. Biol., 1901, 41, 487--492).-Hempel’s method of estimating fluorine in bone and teeth gives more trust- worthy figures than that of Wohler-Fresenius.By B. SLOWTZOFF (Beity. chern. Physiol. Path., 1901, 1, 281-288).-When arsenic is given to animals and accumulates in the liver, it unites with the nuclein, and after gastric digestion is found in the precipitate of nuclein. Mercury, on the other hand, unites with the globulin con- stituents of the cell-protoplasm, W. D. H. By F. SIEGERT (Beitr. chern. P?qsiol. Path., 1901, 1, 183--lS8).-Langer (Abstr., 1882, 240) originally stated that the amount of solid fatty acids in the subcutaneous f a t of new-born children is relatively great, and that with growth oleic acid increases. This statement has not been con- firmed by all subsequent observers (Thiemich, Abstr., 1899, ii, 234).In the present research, a large number of observations is recorded ; the mean iodine number for new-born children is 43.36 ; in successive months, the number is 42.5, 46.9, 47.5, 53.2, 45.5, 49.9, 48.9, 54.75, 58.55, until a t 12 months it rises to 62.35, the number for the adult being 65. W. D. H. By F. SIEGERT (Bietr. chern. Physiol, Pctth,, 1901, 1, 114--120).--Four W. D. H. Compounds of Mercury and Arsenic in the Liver. Composition of the Fat in Young Children. Behaviour of Fat during Autolysis of the Liver.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 35 experiments were made with dogs’ livers. The amount of ethereal extract and of higher fatty acids was estimated before and after autolysis (from 7 to 9 days, putrefaction being prevented).The amounts of both are practically the same before and after autolysis. W. D. H. Autolysis and Blood-clotting. By H. CONRADI (Beitr. chem. Physiol. Path. 1901, 1, 136--182).-The juices expressed from various animal organs without exception hasten blood-clotting. After autolysis, the same organs yield solutions which hinder blood-clotting. Both substances are soluble in water and precipitable by alcohol, the one which favours coagulation is rendered inert by boiling, is not diffusible, does not filter through a Chamberland filter, and is rendered still more active by calcium chloride. The substance which hinders coagulation is not influenced by heat or by calcium chloride, diffuses readily, and passes partially through a Chamberland filter.The blood itself when kept also gives rise to this substance. It appears to be analogous to peptozyme. Formation of Bactericidal Substances in Autolysis. By H. CONRADI (Beitr. chem. Physiol. Path., 1901, 1, 193-225).- Bactericidal power is absent from the juices expressed from fresh organs as a rule. It is present in the juice from lymph glands and slightly in that from the spleen. After autolysis, the expressed juice of muscle, liver, spleen, lymph glands, testis, thymus, suprarenal t)ody and duodenum is strongly bactericidal. The juice from bone marrow, ovary, lung, tonsil, kidney, jejunum and ileum has the same power to a less degree, It is absent in the juice after autolysis from fcetal intestine, pancreas, thyroid, submaxillary gland, and brain. The bactericidal substances are hydrolytic decomposition products of pro- teids, and from their reactions and solubilities are probably derived from the aromatic complex of the proteid molecule.They give Dlillon’s, the xanthoproteic, and bromine reactions. Thsy are soluble in alcohol. and are precipitated from their alcoholic solutions by ether. W. D. H. W. D. H. Function of Brunner’s Glands. By KARL GLAESSNER (Beit?.. chem. Physiol. Puth., 1901, 1, 105--113).--The fluid obtained by autolysis of the mucous membrane of the small intestine has certain digestive powers. If a portion is taken which contains both Brunner’s and Lieberkiihn’s glands, the action is both proteolytic and diastatic. Tf there are only Lieberkuhn’s follicles, proteolytic power is absent. If the upper part of the duodenum is taken and the surface layer containing Lieberkuhn’s follicles removed and only Brunner’s glands left, the diastatic power is absent, Inverting action on cane sugar, and emulsifying action on fats were absent throughout.The proteolytic enzyme of the Brunner’s glands acts in weakly alkaline, neutral, and feebly acid solutions; i t is regarded as identical with the enzyme, separated from the pyloric end of the stomach, which the author has named pseudopepsin. By OTTO VON FUWH (Beit?.. them, Physiol. Path., 1901, 1, 252-25S.)-The gluco-proteid of the egg W. D. H. Gluco-proteids of Lower Animals. 3-236 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPE:HS. covers of sepia, or of the ground substance of chondrosia were in- vestigated. The reducing substance obtained in each case was an amino-sugar of the type of glucosamine.W. D. H. Nucleo-histon. By IVAR BANG (Beit?.. chern. Phpiol. Path., 1901, 1, 189--192).--Further reasons are advanced which bear out the author’s previous contention that nucleo-histon in the sense of Lilienfeld and Kossel does not exist. W. D. H. Formation and Secretion of Chymosin (Rennin). By ~Ll3xANDElt~~INoGRADoFF(~$iige~~’s Avchiv, ~901,87,170-228).--There is an inverse proportion between the quantity of rennet ferment and time of coagulation. A method is described for estimating t,he amount of theferment,. The ferment is believed to participate in the regeneration of proteid from peptone, and the results obtained by estimating its power of forming plastein are identical with those obtained in experi- ments on milk.After a meal, the formation of rennin by the gastric mucous membrane increases from the first to the ninth hour; there are two maxima, namely, from the second to the fifth, and from the ninth to the eleventh hour. Even after this time, the ferment is still secreted in small quantities. The amount in the gastric juice is proportionaJ to that in the mucous membrane and very closely follows the curve of pepsin for mation, W. D. H. Tyrosinase in Animals. By OTTO VON EURTH and HUGO SCHNEIDER (Be&. chern. f’hysiol. Pccth., 1901, 1, 229-242).-Tyro- sinase is an enzyme, described by Bertrand as occurring in the juices of certain p1ant.s (Abstr., 1896, ii, 571), which oxidises tyrosine and leads to the darkening of the juice. It is apparently analogous to the lac- case of certain other plants.It has been found by Biedermann (Abstr., 1898, ii, 614) in the intestine of the meal worm. The present research shows that it is a constant constituent of the blood .of insects and other arthropods, and is the cause of the darkening of the blood on exposure to the air. The chemical nature of the chromogen in the blood is left uncertain; it is, how- ever, not tyrosine. The melanin formed contains C, 55.44 ; H, 4.45 ; N, 13.74; it is believed to be related to the indole group, but its chemical nature is also left uncertain. W. D. H. Excretion of Uric Acid. By HELLMUTII ULRICI (Chenz. Centr., 1901, ii, 1024-1025 ; from Arch. exp. Path. I’lwrnz., 46, 321-337),- Sodium benzoate increases the excretion of uric acid, Gallic acid acts in the same way.Quinic acid and tannin have no influence on metabolism or the excretion of uric acid. Salicylic acid produces a great stimulation of metabolic processes, increases the total output of nitrogen, and especially raises that of uric acid; this is followed by a diminution in the excretion of the acid. W. D. H. Physiological Action of Chloral Hydrate and Acetone. By C. AHCIIANGELSKY (Chem. Centis., 1901, ii, 1028-1039 ; from Arch. exp. Path. Y l ~ w n ~ , 46, 347--371).-A method of estimating chloralPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 37 hydrate in the blood and tissues is described. I n dogs, 0.03 to 0.05 per cent. in the blood causes narcosis; 0.05 to 0.07 abolishes the corneal reflex ; and 0.1 1 to 0.1 2 causes cessation of breathing ; in the rabbit, rather larger doses are necessary.I n the blood, most of the chloral is present in the corpuscles ; a t first, the brain contains less than the blood ; that in the liver remains small, but the brain tissue which is believed to have a special affinity for chloral hydrate soon contains much more than the blood. Acetone in the blood to the extent of 0.5 per cent. causes narcosis; it is chiefly present in the corpuscles. The brain contains more, the liver less, than the blood. The central nervous system has also a special affinity for this drug. Both narcotics a.re believed to be united to tche fatty constituents of protoplasm. W. D. H. Acid Poisoning in Dog and Rabbit. By KARL SPIRO re it^. chem. Physiol. Path., 1901, 1, 269-280).-Mauy previous observers have pointed out that carnivora are less susceptible to the toxic influence of acids than herbivora, and some have attributed this t o a fundamental difference between the animals, the carnivora, by production of am- monia, being able to neutralise the acid.It is now pointed out that the difference, although i t exists, is orly a quantitative one, and that acids and acid phosphates stimulate the kidney to increased activity in the dog more than in the rabbit; the dog thus rapidly eliminates the harmful material. Other diuretics (caffeine and its homologues) also act more powerfully on the dog’s kidney than on that of the rabbit ; the dog’s kidney, moreover, has a higher resistance towards poisonous sub- stances. W. D. H. Condition of the Blood and Marrow in Chronic Arsenical Poisoning.By I. C. MUIR (J. Pathol. Bacteriol., 1901,7, 420-446). -In chronic arsenical poisoning in man, the blood is richer in red corpuscles and hemoglobin when there is deep cutaneous pigmentation than when the skin is but slightly pigmented. Pigmentation is not due to destruction of hzmoglobin, but melanin may be a precursor of haemoglobin. Arsenic stimulates t’he erythroblastic action of red marrow, especially when t,he skin has a store of melanin in it. W. D. H. Behaviour of Calcium Hypophosphite [when administered internally]. By MASSOL and GAMEL ( J . PRccrm. Cl~irn., 1901, [vi], 14, 337-342).-Contrary to the usually accepted statements, it is definitely shown from the results of experiments carried out on dogs, that when calcium hypophosphite is administered internally, the hypophosphite is not oxidised t o phosphate, but is entirely eliminated by the urine as sodium hypophosphite, and that the calcium is elimin- ated by the faeces.The volume of urine, the total nitrogen, and the amount of urea are not changed, but the acidity of the urine, the amount of uric acid, and tb.e ratio of uric acid to urea are diminished. Complete analyses of the urine, before and after treatment, are given in the original paper. H. R. LE 5,38 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAIA PAPERS. Antagonism of Curare and Physostigmine. By JULTUS C. KOTHBERGER (PJiigeT’s Archiv, 1901, 87, 117--169).-Bilnteral an- tagonism exists between curare and physostigmine so far as their action on muscles is concerned. Those muscles which, like the diaphragm, are last paralysed by curare, are first set free again by the injection of physostigmine. Physostigmine also stimulates the respira- tory centre, There is no antagonism between the two drugs in vitro. W. D. H. Action of Fluorescent Materials on Ciliated Epithelium. By RICHARD JACOBSON (Zeit. Biol., 1901, 41, 444--466).:Light increases the poisonous action of fluorescent substances on ciliated epithelium. Non-fluorescent poisonous substances act equally vigor- ously in light and darkness, Non-poisonous fluorescent substances act in the same way in light and darkness. Chemical Action of the Microsporon Audouini. By W. D’ESTE EMERY (J. Pathol.’ Bacteriol., 1901, 7, 400--408).-1t has been surmised that the ringworm fungus (Microsporon audozcini) has the power of digesting keratin. The fungus, however, secretes a proteolytic enzyme which finds its proteid pabulum near the hair bulbs, and the action of which is to set up slight folliculitis ; the loss of hair is in part due to this, and in part to splitting caused by mechanical pressure. W. D. H. This view is not confirmed. W. D. H. Phloridzin Diabetes in Gats. By JULIUS F. ARTEAGA (Amer. J. Physiol., 1901, 6, 173--176).-1n the fasting cat, just as in the rabbit and goat, the urinary ratio between dextrose and nitrogen in phloridzin diabetes is 2.8 : 1, a striking example of biological uniformity. W. D. H.