44 ARS‘I’RACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Physiological Chemistry. Micro-respirometric Investigations. ToRsTm THUNBERG (Centr. P?~gsioZ. 1904 18 553-556).-The question whether nerves partici- pate in respiratory activity has been a.nswered in the affirmative by Baeyer Frohlich and others in confirmation of Waller’s long-expressed opinion (which however is not quoted) that carbon dioxide is produced during the activity of nerve fibres. By means of an appwatus termed the “ micro-respirometer,” previously described in a Swedish publication (Upsala Lak. s. Forh. 1902-1904) the respiratory exchanges in small objects like nerves can be actually measured. A number of results are given as also are some in which the exchanges in small animals like snails were estimated. W. D. H. Excretion of Carbon Dioxide during Exercise.GEORGE 0. HIGLEY and W. P. BOWEN (Amer. J. Physiol. 1904 12 311-335).-- An instrument called the chemograph is described for obtaining a graphic record of carbon dioxide excretion in man. At the beginning of work (bicycling) the amount excreted rises after a latent period of about 20 seconds ; the maximum is reached in about 2 minutes; if the work remains uniform the output of carbon dioxide then remains uniform also and on the cessation of work there is a latent period again of about 20 seconds followed by a fall to the normal in about 2 minutes. There is apparently no connection between carbon dioxide production and the secondary rise of pulse rate which occurs. W. D. H. Passage of Food-stuffs from the Stomach and through the Small Intestine.W. 16. CANNON (Amer. J. PhysioZ 1904 12 387-41 S).-A continuation and amplification of the author’s previous work by means of the Rontgen rays ; the method is capable of yielding data on the rate of peristalsis and of segmentation into masses. This is most rapid with carbohydrate food. Carbohydrates reach the large intestine in 4 fats in 5 and proteids in 6 hours. Data are also given when these different kinds of food are mixed or administered in succession. The animals used were cats. W. D. H. Influence of Surgical Operations on Carbohydrate Metabolism. EDUARD PFLUGER BERNHARD SCHONDORFF and FRIEDRICH WENZEL (P’iiger’s Archiv 1904 105 121-1 76).-Gly-PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 45 cosuria is often described as a common sequel t o surgical operations.The grounds for this opinion are not regarded as satisfactory ; the urine may contain a reducing substance but this is not necessarily sugar. A discussion follows (largely polemical) concerning the best tests for sugar in urine. Even the fermentation test is untrustworthy. Most reliance should be placed on the polarimetric test and Worm- Muller’s modification of the copper test. From the examination of some hundreds of urines the conclusion is drawn that many forms of so-called transitory glycosuria (including those produced surgically and by anwkhesia) do not exist.. W. D. H. The Behaviour of Carbohydrates in Autolysis. CARL NEUBERG and RICHARD MILCHNER (Chenz. Cent?. 1904 ii 1422; from Bedin klin. Woch. 41 10Sl-l0S4).-In autolysis of the liver the proteid matter of which contains 3.6 per cent.of glucosamine no hydrolysis of the latter takes place with the liberation of a unimolecular sugar. On the other hand in autolysis of the pancreas I-xylose is liberated from the nucleo-proteid ; in this autolysis differs from tryptic diges- tion. It is believed that the pentose group is united not to the proteid molecule as is the glucosamine of liver proteid but to the nucleic acid of the pancreatic proteid (guanylic acid) after the manner of a gluco- side and this will explain the difference seen in autolysis. The nitrogen-free ‘L transport sugar ” of blood globulin (Langstein) is also probably combined as in a glucoside. W. D. H Utilisation of Proteids without the Intervention of Digestion. LAFAYETTE B. MENDEL and ELBERT W.ROCKWOOD (Amey. J. Physiol. 1904 12 336-352).-Recent research tends to shorn that during digestion proteolysis is more profound than was formerly con- sidered to be the case and that the tissue proteids are reconstructed from the simple decomposition products; Experiments were therefore undertaken to study the fate of proteids introduced directly into the blood stream or into the peritoneal cavity. Edestin (from hemp seed) and excelsin (from Brazil nuts) were introduced slowly and were apparently retained for the most part. A t any rate they were not discovered in the urine or bile. Rapid injection causes toxic symptoms especially inhibition of heart and respiration. The urine contained a proteose-like substance after injection of excelsin but not of edestin.If edestin or casein is introduced into a loop of intestine from which digestiop processes are excluded they are not absorbed but their proteoses and peptones rapidly disappear. W. D. H. Inanition Studies. 111. In Libella. IV. In Bees. B. SLOWTZOFF (Beitr. Cherri. yhysiol. Path. 1904 6 163-169 170-174).-A con- tinuation of the author’s work on inanition on the lines of his previous reE earches. W. D. H. Further Proof of Ionic Action in Physiological Processes. C. HUGH NEILSON and ORVILLE H. BROWN (Amer. J. Plqsiol. 1904 12 374-356).-Non-electrolytes have no effect,except in solutions of 1 mol. concentration or more on the decomposition of hydrogen per-46 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. oxide by platinum black or by an aqueous extract of kidney; in con- centrations greater than 1 mol.there is an inhibitory effect which increases with the concentration. A salt in dilute concentration exerts either a depressing or stimulating effect the former depending on the positive the latter on the negative ion. W. D. H. Action of Salts on Muscle and Nerve. ERNST OVERTON (P’uger’s Arc&v 1904 105 176 -290).-The experiments were mainly made with thin muscles like the frog’s sartorius. Solutions of potassium chloride isotonic with blood kill the muscles in a few minutes and cause them to increase in weight. I n a mixed solution of the chlorides of sodium and potassium the muscle remains almost impermeable to potassium chloride until it is injured by that salt Other potassium haloids and potassium nitrate behave in the same way.Loss of indirect excitability occurs rapidly when quite a small percentage (0.06 to 0.07) of potassium chloride is added t o a sodium chloride solution; this effect is removed by the addition of calcium chloride or by placing the preparation in Ringer’s solution (confirma- toryof Locke). The harmful action attributed to potassium ions is like that caused by curare. Rubidium caesium and ammonium salts act like potassium with some differences of detail which are fully described. Strontium acts like calcium as an antagonist to these but barium and magnesium salts do not. I t cannot therefore as Loeb supposes be a simple question of valency of ions. W. D. H. Biological Importance of Iron. ALESSANDEO BALDONI (Chem. Centr. 1904 ii 1476 ; from Arch. exp. Pccth. Pharm.52 61-68).- Iron in nutriment is not only of importance in haemoglobin formation for all the tissues contain iron. The blood-free epidermis the crystal- line lens the tissues of the crayfish and among plants Iceland moss were investigated and all were found to contain small amounts of iron. W. D. H. Influence of Local Temperature on Glycolysis in the Capillaries. RAPHAEL LI~PINE and BOULUD (Conzpt. rend. 1904 139 622-625).-After section of the sciatic nerves in dogs one leg was immersed in cold water the other in warm water. Ten minutes later blood was withdrawn from the carotid artery and both crural veins. The venous blood contained less sugar than the arterial but the loss was greatest in the venous blood of the cooled limb. Exceptions to the rule were noticed but the total number of experiments performed is not recorded. If the blood is collected and kept .glycolysis occurs most rapidly in the blood where it occurred most rapidly in uivo.W. D. H. Formation of Aromatic Fatty Acids in the Animal Body. FRANZ ENOOP (Heit?.. chem. Physiol. Path. 1904 6 150-162).-A study of the metabolism of fatty compounds in especial relationship to the origin in the body of those containing an aromatic nucleus. A large number were administered to animals ; some were excreted un-PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 47 changed others were oxidised in various ways whilst in others the amino-group was removed. Production of Choline from Lecithin and Brain Tissue. ISIDOR H. CORIAT (Amer. J. Physiol. 1904 12 353-364).-1n view of the work of Mott and Halliburton on the importance of recognising choline as a sign of breakdown of nervous tissues the theory is advanced that the splitting off of choline from lecithin is due to ferment action but attempts to isolate the enzyme were unsuccessful.The enzyme i s destroyed by heating and acts best in slightly alkaline media. It comes into play during autolysis but the yield of choline is small. During putrefaction the yield is larger. Pepsin and trypsin fail to act on the lecithin of brain tissue and inhibit autolysis. Lipase however is capable of splitting lecithin. Of the methods tried heating lecithin with barium hydroxide was the only one which led to a theoretical yield of choline. W. D. H. W. D. H. Receptivity of Cells in Normal and Immunised Animals. MARTIN JACOBY (Beitr.chem. Physiol. Putlt,. 1904 6 113-1 31).-A contribution to the study of immunity in its various stages with theo- retical deduction on its mechanism. Some of the more important results are as follows the receptor groups in the blood corpuscles for ricin are fixed there firmly and cannot be removed by washing by great pressure or by digestive ferments. After blood corpuscles are treated with eel serum the toxicity of the latter poison is diminished ; in some cases it is increased this is explained by the presence of a mixture of toxoids and toxins the former being taken up by the corpuscles first. At Oo rabbits’ corpuscles are only agglutinated by eel serum; a t 3 5 O they are completely haemolysed. Varieties of cor- puscles which are not very susceptible to a toxin have their suscepti- bility increased during the progress of immunisation.W. D. H. The Individuality of Trypsin. LEO POLLAK (Beitr. chem. Phpiol. Puth. 1904 6 95-1 l2).-That trypsin is not a single substance has been stated by Vernon and others. It is regarded as possible that the pancreatic enzyme really consists of a number of specific ferments each acting on different proteids. I n support of this i t is shown that treatment of a pancreatic extract with acid destroys its power of digesting serum egg-white and fibrin but not of digesting gelatin. The latter property is therefore ascribed to a specific ferment glutinase. Attempts by fractional methods to obtain a ferment acting only on serum proteids were unsuccessful but led to the discovery of an anti- glutincbse.This is not dialysable but is not a ferment not being destroyed by boiling. I t is not identical with the anti-trypsin of blood serum. W. D. H. Haemolysinogenic and Agglutininogenic Action of Laked Corpuscles. GEORGE N. STEWART (Anzer. Phyaiol. 1904 12 363-373).-Further experiments in support of the author’s earlier conclusion that the stromata and liquid of water-laked corpuscles cause the production of sera with specific hsmolytic and agglutinating power.48 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. The latter is the more marked effect as is also the case with t,he serum obtained after the injection of stromata laked by freezing and thawing. Filtration through porous earthenware removes the agglutininogens and hzemolysinogens from the liquid of corpuscles laked by freezing and thawing and by foreign serum.W. D. H. Action of Radium Emanations on Chymosin. SIGVAL SCHMIDT- NIELSEN (Beitr. chenz. I’hysiol. Path. 1904 6 175-1 76).-Even long exposure to radium emanations causes no marked deterioration in the activity of chymosin (rennin). W. D. H. Anti-substances against Crotin in the Normal Organism. FRANZ ALEXANDER LUST (Beitr. chem. Physiol. Path. 1904,6,132-149). -The anti-substance found in the pig’s gastric mucous membrane is resistant to heat and is active in neutral weakly acid or weakly alka- line media. It is precipitable by alcohol or ether or by saturation with ammonium sulphate. It is not dialysable and is not destroyed by artificial gastric digestion. It does not give the biuret reaction or any reaction with iodine-potassium iodide solution.It is not present in other organs except in small quantities in those like the lungs and liver which are rich in blood. Various animals differ a good deal in their susceptibility to crotin. W. D. H. Urinary Indoxyl. LEON GRIMBERT (J Z’harm. CJhn. 1904 [ vi] 20 398-407).-Hnman urine always contains indoxyl ; its presence is not pathological; the amount varies with food work fatigue and intestinal disorders Even large quantities have no necessary impor- tance; there is no ground for supposing it to be due to liver disease. Scatoxyl pigments do not occur in the urine for by oxidation in the body scatole loses its methyl group and is converted into indoxyl. Red colours attribntcd to scatoxyl are produced by indirubin.W. D. H. Studies in Diuresis. X. The Situation in the Kidney where Foreign Substances are Excreted. JOH. BIBERFELD (Pjiiyer’s Archiv 1904 105 308-320). -The experiments were made with pigments especially Berlin-blue and they lead to the conclusion that this substance is excreted by the convoluted tubules. This work confirms in the main von Soberieranski’s recent researches with indigo- carmin; a few points of diil‘erence are discussed. Some of the observations throw doubt on Ludwig’s doctrine of reabsorption of water in the tubules. W. D. H. A Case of Leuczemia. F. PARKES WEBER (Trans. Pufhol. SOC. London 1904 55 288-296).-A case is described in which some resemblances to pernicious anzemia are noted; but there was no abnormal amount of urinary pigment and no reaction for ‘‘ free iron ” in spleen liver and kidneys.There was great hyperplasia of the spleen and prevertebral hEmolymph glands but not of the lymphatic glands proper. The bone marrow was abnormally firm and contained excess of connective tissue. W. D. H.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 49 Pseudo-lipzemia JOHN FAWCETT and A. E. BOYCOTT ( T r a ~ Patho2. SOC. Lofidon 19(14 55 332-336).-In a fatal caGe of sarconia of the pancreas the blood-plasma was creamy but prolonged centrifugalisation produced hardly any change. The creamy appear- ance is due to extremely minute particles of irregular shape which are insoluble in ether or in I per cent. acetic acid. They arc stained blue by Jenner's stain but give no reaction for fat with osmic acid or Soudan 111. The amount of fat in the blood was only 0.38 per cent. a number which comes within normal limits.The blood corpuscles showed nothing noteworthy. The creamy appearance is attributed as in some cases recorded by others to proteid material. W. D. H. The Action of Alcohols on Echinoderm Eggs. HERMANN FUHNER (Chem. Centr. 1904 ii 1517-1518 ; from Arch. e q . Path. Pharnz. 52 69-82).-A large series of alcohols was investigated a d the general conclusion drawn that each successive member of a series is more toxic towards the eggs than the preceding. The secondary alcohols w e less active. Urethane is about twice as poisonous as n-propyl alcohol and about the same as n-butyl alcohol. Chloral hydrate approaches octyl alcohol in toxicity and is 90 times more poisonous than urethane.Urea has no action. Glycerol mannitol and sucrose cause greater harm than can be explained by osmotic phenomena. Mixtures of alcohol with colloids multivalent alcohols with urea and with sugar are more toxic than the alcohols alone. Injurious effects in the more advanced larv2e are also described. W. D. H. The Action of Cobalt Rhodium and Chromium-ammonium Compounds on the Animal Organism. JOHAENES BOCK (Chem. Centr. 1904 ii 1515-1517 ; from A~clt,. exp. Path. Phnrm. 52,l-29 30-38).-Hexa~mminecobalt chloride is strongly toxic its most marked action being like that of curare. Aquopentamminecobalt sulphate acts similarly but is not so toxic. Diaquotet'ramminecobalt sulphate is 100 times less poisonous. A number of other similar compounds were also investigated.A comparison of the lethal doses in frogs and mammals shows that the amount of cobalt present makes no difference but the toxic action depends on the number of ammonium and H20 groups and on the nature of the acid residues in the complex radicles. The corresponding compounds of rhodium and chromium gave analogous results. Non-toxic doses of hexamminecobalt chloride cause in frogs fascicular clonic contractions which are due to excitation of motor nerve bundles. W. D. H. Toxicity of Amylene @-Chlorobydrin L. LAUNOY (Compt. rend. 1904 139 650-652. Compare Abstr. 1904 ii 501).-The toxic action of this substance was tested on the dog rabbit mouse guinea- pig fowl and pigeon. The above order is that of decreasing receptivity ; that is the animal most easily killed is placed first. In uitro amylene chlorohydrin has a glohulicidal action which is not exercised in civo. VOL. LXXXVIIT. ii. 4 W. D. H.50 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Toxins and Antitoxins. Diphtheria Poison. SVANTE AR- RHENIUS and THORYALD MADSEN (Chem. Cent?.. 1904 ii 1420 ; from Bull. ucccd. ~ o y . Banemnrk 1904 No. 4).-This contribution to immunity is largely polemical against Ehrlich. No foundation is discovered for the existence of prototoxoids or toxones. The dissocia- tion constant varies bat little. The diphtheria toxin is regarded as a homogeneous substance and behaves like r2 unimolecular material. The loss of activity it undergoes is attributed to its gradual conversion into an atoxic substance or toxoid. The toxin and its toxoid react in equivalent qiiantities with the same amount of antitoxin both products called toxinan and toxoidcm respectively being non-poisonous. W. D. H.