34 ABSTRACTS O F CHEMICAL PAPERS. Physiological Chemistry, Absovption of Oxygen by the Lungs. By JOHN 5. HALDANE and J. LORRAIN SMITH (J. Physiol., 1897, 22, 231-258).-The absorp- tion of oxygen in the lungs cannot be explained by diffusion alone, as the normal oxygen tension in the blood is higher than in the alveolar air, and in some animals higher than in the atmosphere. Fall of body temperature caused a marked fall in this tension. Increase of oxygen in the alveolar air causes an almost proportional increase in the oxygen tension of the arterial blood. Diminution of the oxygen tension in the alveolar air causes a fall in that of the blood ; bat want of oxygen, whet her produced by carhonic oxide poisoning, by diminution of atmospheric pressure, or of percentage of oxygen in tbe air, causes a marked increase in the relative excess of arterial over alveolar oxygen tension.Hence want of oxygen acts as a stimulus t o absorption of oxygen. The symptoms caused by diminution of the oxygen tension of the air breathed are due to fall in the oxygen tension reached by the blood in the lungs, and not to diminution in the quantity of oxygen carried by the blood from the lungs. Metabolism. during Inanition. By DAIBER (Chern. Centis., 1896, ii, 1039, from Schweix. Woch. Plmmz., 34, 395-399).-0bservations made on Succi during a 20 days’ fast showed that the body weight sank about 490 grams daily, the excretion of chlorides in the urine fell t o 1 or 1.5 per cent. of the normal; chlorides were not found in the urine on the twentieth day. At the beginning of the fast, urobilin was abundant, indicating decomposition of the red blood corpuscles.The metabolism of proteid as indicated by the discharge of urea was very regular. W. D. H. Influence of the Thyroid Gland on Metabolism. By BERNHARD SCHONDORFF (Pjiiyer’s Arclriu., 1897, 67, 395-442).-By feeding dogs on thyroid, they are reduced in weight ; this is due to loss of fat,and the amount of oxygen used is increased. When the body fat has sunk to a certain point, the proteid of the body is attacked. When the animal resumes normal diet, metabolism falls, fat and proteid are put on, and the body weight rises ; renewed administration of thyroid is then followed by no increase in the excretion of nitrogen. During menstruation in women, and the corresponding period in dogs, the proteid metabolism sinks.During hunger, the rise of nitro- genous excretion which occurs late in t’he process is not always coin- cident with the greatest deficit in f a t ; the organs become richer in water. W. D. H. By EMIL HBUSERMANN (&it. physiol. Clzemn,., 1897, 23, 555-59Z).-Analyses of various foods are given, from which it appears that the seeds of cereals are even poorer in iron than milk. Rats, rabbits, and dogs were fed on food poor in iron, and others on the same, plus inorganic cornpounds of iron, and in one series (on rats) hemoglobin was added instead; in the last, the haemoglobin W. D. H. The Assimilation of Iron.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 35 of the mixed no im blood rose considerably, although not so high as when a normal diet was given. There was an increase of iron in the body, but portant increase in hemoglobin in rats and rabbits after the administration of inorganic salts of iron; in dogs, as also in man, the hEmoglobin increases.This, however, as the author admits, hardly settles the question whether the hzmoglobin formed comes from the iron given. W. D. H. Analyses of Blood. By EmL ABDERHALDEN (Zeit. physiol. Chem., 1897, 23, 521-531).-Tmo very complete analyses of the blood, one of the ox, the other of the horse, are given. W. D. H. By A. DASTFLE and N. FLORESCO (Compt. rend. SOC. BioZ., 1896, [XI, 3, 243-245).- If gelatin dissolved in solution of sodium chloride is injected into a vein of a dog, the gelatin is excreted in the urine, and the urine gelatinises on cooling.The blood, when withdrawn, coagulates with great rapidity. If, however, the blood is mixed with decalcifyingagents such as potas- sium oxalate, it does not clot ; but gelatin annuls the anti-coagulating power of proteoses (pro-peptone). Glucose in the Blood and Muscle after Intra-venous Injec- tion of that Substance. By L. BUTTE (Compt. Tend. Xoc. BioZ., 1896, [XI, 3, 274--2’77).-After the intra-venous injection of large doses of glucose, it is excreted by the urine for about 36 hours; it is, however, not found for long in the blood, disappearing from it in about 50 minutes to 2 hours. I n the muscles, also, it disappears as rapidly. It appears that of the sugar injected some is excreted, some is used immediately for purposes of combustion, and a third part probably undergoes ‘‘ transformation ” in certains organs.Coagulating Action of Gelatin on the Blood. W. D. H. W. D. H. Origin of Fat in Animals. By MAURICE KAUFMANN (Conzpt. rend. SOC. Biol., 1896, [XI, 3, 414-417).-A11 the proximate principles of food may serve for the formation of fat. I n carnivora, it originates from the proteid and f a t of the food; the fat, however, is principally indirectly concerned in fat-production by preserving from oxidation the f a t already stored from proteid. Ey SABRAZBS (Cow~pt. rend. SOC. Biol., 1896, [XI, 3,239-243).-A case of fibro-lipoma grow- ing from the mucous membrane of the mouth is described ; this showed the presence of glycogen in the ulcerated portions. The glycogen was especially abundant in the leucocytes ; this is believed to be due to the intracellulsr digestion of the fat of the tumour.W. D. H. By VAUGHAN HARLEY (PYOC. Roy. Xoc., 1897, 61, 249--265).-The absorption of milk-fat in normal dogs is compared with that in those from which the pancreas had been removed ; the difference in the amount of fat left in different portions of the alimentary canal is not, so great as would have been anticipated. Hydrolysis of fats into fatty acids and glycerol occurs in the stomach, as also does saponification; this is W. D. H. Transformation of Fat into Glycogen. Breaking up of Fat in the Alimentary Canal. 3-236 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. greater in dogs without a pancreas, and is probably explained by the fact that, in these animals, the expulsion of fat into the intestine is delayed.W. D. H. By DOYON and E. DUFOURT (Compt. ?*end. Xoc. Biol., 1896, [XI, 3, 487-489).-Doubt exists as to whether cholesterol is formed by the liver cells or by the biliary passages. It has a double origin; fistula bile contains cholesterol, but in less quantity than bladder bile. By J. E. ABELOUS and G. BIARN~S (Conzpt. vend. SOC. Biol., 1896, [x], 3, 94--06).-Two experi- ments are described which show that a t the same time that salicyl- aldehyde is oxidised into salicylic acid as the result of digestion with aqueous extracts of liver, oxygen is consumed and carbonic anhydride disengaged ; the extract was rendered antiseptic by chloroform. The same result follows if a solution of the precipitate produced by the addition of alcohol to the liver-extract is used instead.The ‘‘ oxidising ” ferment thus adheres closely to the protoplasm of the liver cells. Cholesterol in the Bile. W. D. H. Mechanism of Organic Oxidation. W. D. H. The Importance of Nucleo-proteids in the Oxidative Pro- cesses of Cells. By WILHELM SPITZER (P’uger’s A~chiv., 1897, 67, 615--656).-The various tissues and organs of the body have an oxidising energy which was principally investigated i;l the present research by the amount of oxygen formed from hydrogen peroxide. In some cases, other tests, such as the conversion of salicylaldehyde into salicylic acid, were used as well. In their order of activity, the tissiies are thus arranged, blood, spleen, liver, pancreas, thymus, brain, muscle, ovary, oviduct, the most active being placed first ; this list n.early coincides with those given by Abelous and Biarnds, and by Salkows ki.The action is destroyed by protoplasmic poisons, like potassium cyanide and hgdroxylamine. It is not influenced by cold to any note- worthy extent, its optimum is at 30-50°, and it is completely destroyed by heating to 70”. The substance on which this property depends is only partially extracted by water; to say that it is an enzyme is no explanation. A definite search was made as to whether or not it depends on nucleo- proteid, and the answer was in the afirmative. Nucleo-proteids were prepared from various organs and tissues by the methods given by different authors, and all were found to have the oxidising energy of the original tissue or organ; these compounds are affected by poisons and temperature like the original organs.Numerous analyses of various nucleo-proteids are given, and considerable importance in this connection is given to the constant presence of iron in them. The glycolytic power of the blood is attributed to the same substances. W. D. H. Cerebro-spinal Fluid. By E. NAWRATZKI’ (Zeit. physiol. Chem., 189 ’7, 23, 532-554).-Previous workers on cerebro-spinal fluid have all but unanimously stated that the reducing substance contained in it is not sugar. In the present case, large quantities of the fluid werePHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 37 obtained from calves and horses, and also from men ; the author thus regards his work as being more trustworthy than that of others, who mostly worked with small quantities. Although he was not successful in separating the sugar in the crystalline form, he states that otherwise the reducing substance gives all the reactions characteristic of dextrose.He did not find catechol, as Halliburton did. I n the fluids he examined, globulin was the only proteid present, proteoses and peptones being absent. The sugar in cerebro-spinal fluid disappears soon after death (glycoly tic action). Behaviour of Compounds of Salicylic Acid in the Organism. By STANISLAS BONDZ~YSKI (Chem. Centr., 1896, ii, 1039-1040; from Arch. exp. PutTL. Pharm., 38, 88-98).-After the use of sodium salicyl- ate, 97.5 per cent. of it was found in the urine as salicyluric acid; after the use of ethylic salicylate, 91.3 per cent. was found in the urine. After ethylenic salicylate, 47.6 per cent, was found in the urine as salicyluric acid, and 19.5 per cent. in the faces as salicylic acid.Of salicylglyceride, 86.7 per cent. passes unchanged through the alimentary canal, and 8.7 per cent. is excreted in the urine as salicgl- uric acid. Dichlorhydrin-salicylate appears chiefly in the urine (92.7 per cent.). After the use of salicyl compounds soluble in water, such as salicylamide, there was complete absorption, none being found in the feces. W. D. H. By ED. BOIXET (Compt. rend. Xoc. Biol., 1896, [ x], 3, 403-406).-n;icoztZine~ C,H,O, a colourless, in- odorous substance crystallising in rhomboidal tablets, was extracted by Geoffroy from Robiniu Nicozc Aublet, a leguminous plant used by the natives of Guiana to stupefy and capture fish.The action of nicouline is on the central nervous system, especially on the bulb; after a phase of excitation, stupor sets in, the muscles are relaxed, sensation is in abeyance, and the temperature falls. It is rapidly eliminated. The fatal dose for mammals is 1 milligram per 10 grams of the body weight. By ARNOLD SCHILLER (Chem. Centy., 1896, ii, 1039 ; from A ~ c h . exp. Puth. P?mrm., 38, 71--87).--Scopoline, on account of its insolubility, does not act on frogs, but the scopoleines (cinnamylscopoline, benzoylscopoline, acetylscopo- line) produce iiarcosis, with a rise of reflex irritability. The cinnarnyl compound is the most active, 0*01-0*02 gram producing a marked effect ; in rabbits and cats, however, 0.12 gram produces no correspond- ing results. In contradistinction to scopolamine, scopoline and the scopoleines produce no effect on the pupil, secretion of saliva, or vagus endings in the heart.Physiological Action of Copper. By ARNOLD KOLDEWEY (Chem. Centr., 1896, ii, 1041 ; from Disswt. Bedin).---Although it is advisable to obviate admixture of copper with the food, no noteworthily evil results follow small doses of copper, or even large doses in people in good healt'h, or in animals that vomit readily ; long continuance in the use of c o p per, however, produces slight degenerative changes in the liver and kidney, which can only be detected on microscopic examination. The W. D. H. Physiological Action of Nicouline. W. D. H. Action of Scopoline and Scopoleines. W. D. H.38 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.existence of chronic copper poisoning among workers in that metal is doubted, and illness, if it occurs, is probably to be attributed to arsenic, zinc, or lead mixed with the copper. By CHARLES PLATT (J. Anze~. C?Le?n. Xoc., 1897, 19, 382-384).-The amounts of the various con- stituents of the urine of men and women are arranged in a lengthy table. The numbers given ara averages compiled from the observations of the author (number not stated) and those of forty-eight other investigators; they do not differ in any essential particular from those found in the text-books. W. D. H. Excretion of Phosphorus during Feeding with Casein. By GOTTHE~F MARCUSE (I)JEuges.’s Archiv., 1897, 67, 373--394).-The experiments mere carried out in the usual manner of metabolism ex- periments ; a dog mas used, and the phosphorus in its food (casein and meat extract), and in its excrements, was estimated.I n four experi- ments, the average of phosphorus absorbed from the food was 90 per cent. of that given ; this is even better than when meat is given. The phosphorus thus follows the same course as was previously shown in the case of the nitrogen of casein, thus confirming the view, previously found expressed, of the high nutritive value of casein. W. I). 13. Nitrogenous Excretion in Phloridzin-diabetes. By (311. CONTE- JEAN (Compt. 9*eiacZ. Xoc. Biol., 1896, [XI, 3, 344-347).-1n phloridzin- diabetes in animals, the excretion of nitrogen is not increased, as von Mering states, and proteid cannot therefore be regarded as the precursor of sugar.The opinion expressed is that the sugar is formed, partly, if not exclusively, from the f a t of the organism. W.D. H. Composition of Normal Urine. W. I). H. Uric Acid in the Saliva in the Uric Acid Diathesis. By BOUCHERON (Compt. rend. SOC. Biol., 1896, [XI, 3, 454-456).-By the murexide test, uric acid can be detected in the saliva in patients suffering from the uric acid diathesis, particularly in the intervals between meals. An analogy is drawn between this and the occurrence of sugar in the urine in diabetes. W. D. H. By THOMAS BOKORNY (Chem. Xeit., 1896, 20, 1022).-Phosphorus is a poison to low organisms, but not a powerful one. As with nitroglycerol, there is here a difference between low animals and plants and those higher in the scale. Excretion of Water and Carbonic Anhydride fiom Inflamed Skin. By WAILELIN BARRATT (J. physiol., 1897, 22, 206-214).- I n dry dermatitis produced by carbolic acid, the output of water is much diminished (56 per cent.); this persists till desquamation is completed. No marked alteration is noted in the elimination of carbonic anhydride, until, when desquamation is in progress, the horny epithelium becomes thinner; there is then a tendency to increased output. W. D. H. Glycosuria after Carbonic Oxide Poisoning. By WALTHER STRAUB (Chern. Cent?*., 1896, ii, 1040; from As.eh. exp. Path. Pharm., Toxicity of Aqueous Solutions of Phosphorus. W. D. H.VEGETABLE PgYSIOLOC3Y bND AGRICULTURE. 39 38, 139--157).-After poisoning dogs by carbonic oxide, sugar ap- pears in the urine if proteid decomposition occurs; but in proteid hunger, or with excess of carbohydrate food, i t is absent. Adminis- tration of gelatin will take the plaze of proteid in this connection. W. D. H. Nitroglycerol as a Poison. By THOMAS BOKORNY (Chem. Zeit., 1896, 20, 1021-1022).-Nitroglycerol is a very feeble poison to low organisms, whilst nitroethane is not only non-poisonous to these, but appears t o increase their nutrition. W. D. H.