PHY SIOLOQICAL CHEMISTRY. 1319 P h y s i o l o g i c a1 C h em i s t ry. - Feeding of Calves and Pigs. By N. J. FJORD (Bied. Ce?)tr., 1888, 590-601).-Experiments made with calves and pigs on the relative value of skim-milk obtained by centrifugal separators and by the Holstein tub method, the former coota,ininq 0.15 per cent. of fat and the latter 0.6 per cent., showed that the latter kind gave a slightly larger increase in weight in a given time, but tha.t the money value of this increase was only about one-fifth of that of the butter fat sacrificed. Some experiments with pigs on the relative feeding values of corn, skim-milk, and whey, and on other points, led to the following con- clusions :- 1. The opinion that pigs make bet,ter use of their food when it is largely diluted with water was not con6rmed ; the differences in iiicrease obtained being either unimportant o r to the distidvantage of dilution.2 . Although confining pigs produced more increase than allowing them to run in the sty-yard, yet the author thinks it may cause dis- t.ase. 3. 12 parts by weight of whey, 6 parts of skim-milk, 1 part of bruised barley, and 1 part of bruised rye are of approximately equal feeding value. These conclusions were deduced from the average increase in weight in equal times. I n the experiments for conclusion 3, on slaughtering the pigs the amount of offal And the thickness of the fat were determined, and the pigs were classified by experts according to their quality, and the results bore out fairly well the statement given above. H.Nathorst, remarking on the above experiments, states that the equivalency of the foods mentioned is not of universal application (as Fjord too observes), for the substitution of one food for another may materially alter the albuminold ratio of the diet. Influence of Fodder on the Production of Lean and Fat in Pigs. By HENRY (Bied. Centr., 1888, 606-609).-Six pig9 of 100 days old, and from the same litter, were selected aiid divided into two equal lots. Set I received a diet of 1 part by weight of dried blood, 6 parts of bran, and 14 parts of skim-milk. Set I1 received an un- limited amount of maize meal. The albuminoid ratio of the diet of set I was 1 : 2, and of that of set 2 was 1 : 7 or 8. At the end of 136 days from the commencement of the experiment, the pigs were slaught,ered and the weights of different parts were det>ermined.The weights obtained for set I in every case, excrpt as regards fat, exceeded tbose for set I1 ; the live weights were 19 per cent. greater for set 1 than for set 11, the carcases 21, the kidneys 42, the spleens 33, the livers 32, the blood 59, the hair and skins 36, the large muscles of the back (Ilia spinalis) 64, the two muscles of the body cavity (Psons maynus) 38, and the bones 23 per cent. great,er. In Bet I, 38 per cent. of the bodies, excluding bones, was f a t ; in set I1 H. H. R.1320 A HSTRACTS OF OHEMICAL PAPERS. 46 per cent. of fat was present. The strength of the thigh bones was determined by a specially constructed machine, and was found to be 62 per cent. gyeater for set I than for set IT.From these retuits the authoi. inters that by varying the feeding, fat or lean can be pro- dnced at, will, and also that feeding exclusively with maize or ot.tier foods over rich in carbohydrates affects the whole organism nnfavour- ably, and so may be dangerous if the animals are used for hreedinq. H. H. R. Cutaneous Excretion of Albumin by the Horse. By A. LECLERC (Compt. relid., 107, 128--126).-The white secretion frequently observed on a horse which has perspired, yields an opalescent solution, which always contains albumin, alkaline chlo. rides, ammonium salts, urea, and one or more nitrogenous organic compounds. On four consecutive dajs, a horse which perspired freely excreted 10.308, 5,558, 4.237, and 5,596 grams OP albumin respectively.Auother horse, which perspired much less readily, excreted on four consecutive days 8.6U5, 2.701, 2690, and 4.114 grams of albumin. It is evident that the loss of albuminoid and other nitrogen in this mauner must be taken into account in all considera- tions of the circulation of nitrogen. The dried perspiration forms a white deposit which has usually been regarded as epithelial de'bris. The latter, however, is present i n very small proportion, and the substance consists mainly of salts and albumin which is still completely soluble in water. C. H. B. Mean Composition of Normal Urine. By YVON and B~~RLIOZ (Lancet, 2, 1888,629, from Rev. illtkZ., 8, 713-718).-A series of tables of the analysis of normal urine are given. The observations are very numerous, and were niade on healthy adult's, male and female.The present results are contrasted with those of other authors, and in each case the maxima and minima as well aH the means are given. The latter are summavised thus :- Male. Female. Volume per diem ........ 1360 C.C. 1100 C.C. Specific gravity .......... 1,0225 1,0215 Uric acid (per litre) ...... 0.5 ,, 0.55 ,, ,, (per diem). ..... 0.6 ,, 0*5T ,, Phosphoric acid (per litre). 2.5 ,, 2.4 I , 9 9 (per diem) 3.2 ,, 2.6 9 , Urea (per litre) .......... 21.3 gram 19.0 gram .. (per diem). ......... 26.5 .. 20.5 ,, Thus, with the exception of iiric acid, the amounts are higher on each head among males than among females ; but with uric acid, the quantities eliminated in the 24 hours are almost precisely the same f o r the two sexes.The authors desire to correct, as resultiiig from these observations, the proportionate quantities of urea and uric acid given in their Manual of Urinary Aiialysis, which should be as 4~ : 1 instead of 30 : 1, and of urea aiid phosphoric acid! whicll should be as 8 : 1 instead of 10 : 1. W. L). H.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEJIISTRT. 1321 Secretion of Urine when Pressure is exerted on the Urinary Canals, By R. L~PINE and E. PORTEREP (Compt. rend.. 107, 74- 77).-The experiments were made with dogs. A canula yvas placed in each ureter, and from one of these the urine was allowed to escape freely, the other being attached to an india-rubber tube. In the rjecond case, the urine escaped from the free end of the tube, and by raising this, a back pressure was produced by the accumu- lation of urine in the tube, the pressure being measured of course by the height of the column of liquid. By operating in this manner, i t was possible to collect and analyse the urine secreted a t the same time by each kidney, the one being under pressure whilst the other was under normal conditions.The quantity of urine secreted under pressure varies greatly in different animals. In some cases, the secretion is almost stopped, whilst in others it is only slightly reduced. I n these experiments, the secretion was accelerated by the intra-venous injection of a 5 per cent, solution of sodiuni chloride. The quantity of urine secreted has no relation to the pressure. Under feeble pressure ; it would seem that the quantity of urea diminishes in somewhat greater proportion than the volume of urine, whilst with a pressure of 45 cm.the volume of urine diminishes to a much p e s t e r extent than the quantity of urea. As a rule, the inorganic salts vary in the same ratio as the volume of urine, but under feeble pressure the ratio of chlorides is higher than that of other salts, whilst under higher pressure the re- verse is the case. The proportion of phosphates also diminishes under pressure. When sugar is injected into the veins, the quantity in the urine varies directly as the volume of the latter. The urine excreted under pressure is really the resultant of a double process of secretion and resorption. Paralactic Acid in the Urine of Soldiers after a Forced March. By G. COLASAYTI acd R. NOSCATELLI (Gnzzetta, 17, 548- 557).-Although it has long been known that the ordinary optically inactive lactic acid occurs in urine both normal and patbological, the presence of paralactic acid, the other ethylidenelactic acid, in normal urine has never been decisively proved ; i t has, however, been stated to exist in some pathological urines.The author has operated on comparatively large quantities of fresh urine collected after forced marches of 20 to 25 kilometres, and has conclusively proved the presence of paralactic acid in it. The urine, as soon as collected, was evaporated on the water-bath to a syrupy consistence, and the acid converted into the zinc salt by treatment with zinc carbonate in the way recommended by Salkowski. The crude zinc salt was repeatedly washed with absolute alcohol, to remove a brown resinous Rubstance, and then repeatedly crystallised.By spontaneous erapora- tion, it was obtained as a mass of coiourless, brilliant, microscopic, prismatic crystals of the composition of zinc paralactate, CsHloZnOs + 2H20, C. H. B. agreeing in all its properties with the salt described by Wislicenns. This proves beyond doubt that the acid which Du Boiv Reymond1322 ABSTRACTS O F CREYICAL PAPERS. has shown to be produced in muscle when i n activity enters into the circulation; a part is oxidised to carbonic anhydride and water, as Spiro has recently proved experimentally, and a part passes through the kidneys unaltered, and is excreted with the urine. C. E. G. Behaviour of Urine after Ingestion of Naphthalene. By EDLEFSEN (Chem.Centr., 1888, 1007, from Centr. KLin. Jfed., 9, Beil., 90--92).-Fresh urine after the use of naphthalene, gives a blue flourescerice when treated with ammonia or soda. When treated with bleaching powder and hydrochloric acid, i t gives the red P-naphtha- quinone reaction. Fischer’s reaction with diazoamidobenzene also shows the presence of p-naphthol. The urine becomes cherry-red on standing for several days with acetic acid. Under these latter circumstances, the phenol test may also be successfully applied. J. W. L. Excretion of Uric Acid. By A. HAIG (J. Physiol., 8, 211- 217, Medico-Chirurg. Trans., 71, 125-138, and 283-295).-The ad- ministration of acids diminishes the relative amount of uric acid excreted, and that of alkalis increases i t : as an instance, in one case the normal proportion of uric acid to urea wa,s 1 : 35.After a few doses of 4 grams of citric acid, the relation was 1 : 41 ; after similar doses of potassium citrate, i t was 1 : 28. I n these cases, there is not only a relative, but also an absolute diminution and increase in the uric acid excreted. The excretion of uric acid is much affected by the digestion of food, and is three times as much during the “ alkaline tide” as a t other periods: a large part, of this increased secretion must be regarded as a washing out of the uric acid accumulated in the liver and spleen i n the “acid tide’’ periods between meals, or during sleep, and not as entirely due to increased formation of uric acid during digestion. Certain peculiar forms of headache most marked during the strongest “ alkaline tide ” as during the digestion of breakfast, are regarded as being due to the increased amount of uric acid in the circulation during that period.Surh headaches may be cured by a dose of acid. Salicylic acid, however, forms an important exception to this rule, for while it increases urinary activity it does not in any way diminish the excretion of uric acid; moreover, acids given while salicylates are present in the circulation have no longer the power of diminishing the excretion of uric acid ; exceasive excretion of uric acid under salicylates is not accompanied by any headache. Benzoates do not act in the same way, probably because hippuric acid which they form is less soluble than salicyluric acid. Both uric and salicyluric acids are present in the urine passed under the in- fluence of salicylates ; this is probably due to the salicglate acting on the uric acid in the blood, but not on that secreted by the kidney itself.I n these experiments, Haycraft’s method of estimating uric ncid was employed. Salicyluric acid does not give the reactions on which this process depends. A large part of the value of salicylates in uric acid diseases is due to their preventing acids from causing retention of uric acid. SomePEPSTOLOQICATi CHEMISTRY. 1323 drugs have the opposite action, and cause retention of uric acid. Lead, iron, and lithia are instances of these. The action of lead in precipitating an attack of gout is well known. Iron also causes relapses in gout and does harm in epilepsy and uric acid headache, On the other hand, salicylates prevent gout, t,he peculiar headache in question.and also epilepsy. This and certain other facts not chemical in nature seem to place epilepsy in the same category as gout, and it is considered probable that epilepsy is really an uric acid disease, the poison (uric acid) acting on the nerve-centres. W. D. H. Lactic Acid in the Urine of Cold-blooded Animals after Extirpation of the Liver. By E. NEBELTHAU (Zeit. HioZ.. 25, 123-136).-Minkowski (Arch. Exp. Path. Pharm., 21, 41) has shown that lactic acid is present, in the urine of geese from which tjhe liver has been removed, and absent in the urine of heallhy geese, Marouse has investigated the question whether the same holds true f o r the cold-blooded animals (P’iiger’s Archiv, 39, 425) ; he found in the case of frogs that it did.He used as a test for lactic acid Uffelmann’s colonr reaction with ferric chloride (Zeit. klin. Jfed., 8, 392) ; he also found that the calcium salt prepared from the acid had a percentage of water of cryst,allisation corresponding with that of cnlcium lactate. Marcuse’s experiments not being considered satis- factory, from the small quantity of material he worked with, and Uffelmann’s test being not wholly characteristic of lactic acid, the present research was undertaken. Preliminary experiments with tortoises proved negative, as these animals secreted no urine after the operation. Frogs were then taken. Some hundreds were kept in a tank, in water; the increase in the volume of the water was taken as being due to the urine of these animals.The urine thus took several weeks t o collect, and putrefaction was prevented by the use of a small quantity of corrosive sublimate. The liver was then removed, and the urine similarly collected; by this method many litres of frog’s urine was obtained. The following are the chief analytical facts ascertained with regard to the urine before and after the operation :- Before operation. After operation. Specific gravity. ........ 1.0015 1.0025 Reaction ............... faintly acid less acid Total solids ............ 0.1062 per cent. 0.140 per cent. Ammonia.. ............. 0.0054 ,, 0.0122 ,, .............. absent .................. absent absent Chlorides Phosphates Uric acid absent Urea present Lactic acid .............absent The method adopted in the case of lactic acid was to attempt t o prepare zinc lactate ; none was obtainable in either case. The experi- ment was repeated using a different method of collecting the urine ; .............. Sulphates .............. present present ............. }1324 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. this time it was simply Rqueezed several times daily from the bladder of the animals. I n this way, nearly 8 litres were obtained (by the previous method only 3 litres were obtained between the operation and the death of the animals). From this quantity collected after the operation of removal of the liver, 0.1279 gram of it zinc salt was obtained, which in two of its properties resembled paralactate of zinc, namely, in the yellow colour it, gave with ferric chloride, and in the lsvorotatory action of its solution, on polarised light.The qnantity obtained was insufficient to make trustworthy estimations of water of crystallisation, and the crystalline form of tlie substance gave no very conclusive evidence. W. D. H. Thiocyanic Acid in the Animal Organism. By J. BRUYLANTS (J. Pharrn. [ 5 ] , 18, 104-107, 153-156). The identification of thio- cganic acid was based on the following facts : When an aqueous solution of the above compound is treated with an excess of hydrochloric acid and with ether, the thiocyanic acid passes completely into the ether without decomposition, provided not too much be present. When a thiocyanate is distilled with an excess of a strong mineral acid, most of the thiocyanic acid passes over with the first portions of the distil- late.I n saliva from healthy subjects, the amount found corresponded to 0.0963 pram of ammonium thiocyanat,e per litre. Human urine averaged O*OV27 gram per litre, about one-tenth of the amount admitted by Gscheidlen, and one-fortieth of the average proposed by Munck. There appears to be no definite relation between the amount found in saliva and the amount found in urine. Horse’s urine con- tains a little more than humari urine. Cow’s urine averages 0.0042 gram per litre. Defibrinated cow’s blood contxined 0.000; 5 gram per litre. and dried albumin contained 0 0095 gram per kilo. Cow’s bile contained 0.01 gram per litre. Three samples of cow’s milk gave respectively 0.0008, ~ 0 0 2 4 , 0.0016 gram per litre.The foregoing results show that thiocyanic acid is found not only in saliva, but in most, if not all, physiological and pathological fluids. It is difficult to think that this compound is formed exclusively in the saliva, since in some individuals this secretion has only contained traces, wliilst the urine contained relatively large amounts. J. ‘1’. P. W. LATHAM (Lancet, 2, 1888, 751-756).-This address constituted t,he Harveian oration for the present year, and will be found to contain many suggestions of in- terest both t o the chemist and biologist. Among other points, it is shown how it is possible to obtain certain of the poisonous alkalojids or ptomaines, on the supposition that the author’s theory of the con- stitutiou of albumin is correct.Pernicious Anaemia. By W. HUNTER (Lancet, 2, 1888,555-559, 608-611,654-648). In an elaborate research, clinical, microscopical, and chemical, into the pathology of the obscure disewe known as pernicious anmmia, the following conclusions are drawn :-The essen- tial pathological feature is au excessive destruction of the microscopic Serum from cow’s blood gave 0*0009 gram ; Blood Changes in Disease. (Abstr., 1886, 635.) W. D. H.PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 1325 elements of the blood, not an insufficient format.ion of these. The most constant change is a large excess of iron in the liver, which at once distinguishes pernicious ancemia post morteni from all other varieties of ansmia. The destruction of the blood differs both in its nsture and sent from that found in mdaria, and in varioiis forms of hemoglohinuria,.The view can no longer be held that the occurrence of hsmoglobin in the urine simply depends on the quantity of hsmo- globin set free; on the contrary, t,he seat of the destruction and the form assumed by the hemoglobin when liberated are important con- ditions regulatiuq the presence or absence of that substance in the urine, in any case in which an excessive disintegration of corpuscles has occurred. In paroxysmal hemoglobinuria, such disintegration occurs in the general circuhtion, and is due t o a rapid dissolntion of the red corpuscles. In pernicious ansmia, however, the sent of t,ho destruction is chiefly the portal circulation, more especially that portion of it contained within the spleen and the liver, and the de- struction is effected hy the action of certain poisonous aqents of a cadaveric nature absorbed from the intestinal tract.W. D. H. By SKVORTZOFF (Brit. Med. JOUT., 2, 1888, 727, from V~atsch, 1888, 561).-This is a preliminary note giving the results of experiments on dogs, carried out with the view of determining the action of iron on nitrogenous metabolism in a healLhy organism. The following are the conclusions :--(l.) Iron has no marked influence on the nitrogenous metamorphosis in a healthy Rystem. ( 2 . ) On the internal administration of iron in daily doses, over 0.02 to 0.03 gram, the assimilation of the nitrogenous ingre- dients of the food decreases, although but slightly (from 98.4 per cent. before the experiment to 97 per cent. during it).(3.) After venesection, the assirnilation somewhat increases, both on the adminis- tration of iron and without it. (4.) On the administration of iron with food after venesection, the restoration of hsmoglobin proceeds more rapidly than without iron. (5.) The same holds true in regard to the body’s weight. Physiological Action of Ulexine. J. R. BRADFORD (J. Physiol., 8, 79-85) .-Ulexine is an alkaloid originallg prepared by Gerrard from the seeds of the common gorse (Ulez Europeeus). The hydro- bromide was used, since this salt crystallises more readily than any other, and so may be obtained in a greater degree of purity. It was found to have a powerful and wide-spread action, being a nerve and muscle poison, a reppiratory poison raising arterial tension, and pro- duciug diuresis. The pardvsis of resDiration is produced by tho Physiological Action of Iron.W. D. H. small& doses, and is ipparently the Aost important action of the drug. W. D. El. Albumose, Peptone, and Neurine as Pyrexial Agents. By I. OTT and C. UOLLMAR ( J . Physiol., 8, 218--228).-The various albnmoses as prepared by Kuhne and Chittenden, peptone, papain (probably from the fact that it consists largely of an albumose), neurine, and commercial trypsin (which also contains products of YOL. LIY. 4 t1326 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. digestion), all cmse in cats and rabbits a rise of temperature or fever, Calorimetric observations show also an increase in heat production. The feyer reaches its height about two hours after the injection of the substance into the jugular vein. This, however, does not occur in curarised animals.Pfluger has shown that curare paralyses the thermic nerve-fibres, and so the action of these substances is pro- bably primarily on the nervous system. Toxic Effects of Albuminous Urine. By J. TEISSIE~Z and G. ROQUE (Compt. rend., 107, 272-275).-1n some cases, an increase in the toxic effect of urine affords valuable evidence of increased gravity in the condition of the patient, but this does not always hold good, especially in cases of nephritis. Albuminous urine secreted during sleep is more poisoiious than that secreted when awake, whilst with normal urine the reverse is true. In some cases, the toxic effect is in proportion to the quantity of albumin present, but in other cases there is no relation of this kind. NO definite connection could be traced betweeu the general composition of the urine and its toxic action.C. H. B. By E. GLEY (Compf. rend., 107, 348-351) .-The characteristic effect of both substances is the rapid etfect on the heart of a frog which is arrested in systole. 0.025 of a milligram of ouabajin produces this effect in six minutes, whilst the same quantity of strophantin requires 12 minutes. With 0.012 milligram of ouabai'n, the arrest takes place in nine minutes. To the rabbit, ouaba'in is twice ar, poisonous as strophantin, t o a dog three times, to a guinea-pig four times. Moreover, strophantin is always less rapid in its action. Both compounds act less energetically when introduced into the stomach than when injected into the veins.Preventive Inoculation of Rattlesnake Venom, By H. SEWALL (J. Physiol., 8, 203-210).--Repeated inoculation of pigeons Vith sub-lethal doses of rattlesnake venom (which has been shown by previous observers to be prote'id in nature, see Abstr., 1886, 1057) produces a continually increasing resistance towards the injurious effects of the poison without any apparent influence ou the general health of the animals. The efficiency of resistance against the venom gradually fails in the absence of fresh inoculation. In some cases, however, the prophylactic effect uf the repeated inoculations was persistent for a period of five months. M. D. H. Toxic Action of Ouabai'n and Strophantin. C. H. B. W. D. H.PHY SIOLOQICAL CHEMISTRY. 1319P h y s i o l o g i c a1 C h em i s t ry.-Feeding of Calves and Pigs. By N. J. FJORD (Bied. Ce?)tr.,1888, 590-601).-Experiments made with calves and pigs on therelative value of skim-milk obtained by centrifugal separators and bythe Holstein tub method, the former coota,ininq 0.15 per cent. of fatand the latter 0.6 per cent., showed that the latter kind gave a slightlylarger increase in weight in a given time, but tha.t the money valueof this increase was only about one-fifth of that of the butter fatsacrificed.Some experiments with pigs on the relative feeding values of corn,skim-milk, and whey, and on other points, led to the following con-clusions :-1. The opinion that pigs make bet,ter use of their food when it islargely diluted with water was not con6rmed ; the differences in iiicreaseobtained being either unimportant o r to the distidvantage of dilution.2 .Although confining pigs produced more increase than allowingthem to run in the sty-yard, yet the author thinks it may cause dis-t.ase. 3. 12 parts by weight of whey, 6 parts of skim-milk, 1 part ofbruised barley, and 1 part of bruised rye are of approximately equalfeeding value.These conclusions were deduced from the average increase inweight in equal times. I n the experiments for conclusion 3, onslaughtering the pigs the amount of offal And the thickness of the fatwere determined, and the pigs were classified by experts according totheir quality, and the results bore out fairly well the statement givenabove.H. Nathorst, remarking on the above experiments, states that theequivalency of the foods mentioned is not of universal application (asFjord too observes), for the substitution of one food for another maymaterially alter the albuminold ratio of the diet.Influence of Fodder on the Production of Lean and Fatin Pigs.By HENRY (Bied. Centr., 1888, 606-609).-Six pig9 of 100days old, and from the same litter, were selected aiid divided into twoequal lots. Set I received a diet of 1 part by weight of dried blood,6 parts of bran, and 14 parts of skim-milk. Set I1 received an un-limited amount of maize meal. The albuminoid ratio of the diet ofset I was 1 : 2, and of that of set 2 was 1 : 7 or 8. At the end of136 days from the commencement of the experiment, the pigs wereslaught,ered and the weights of different parts were det>ermined. Theweights obtained for set I in every case, excrpt as regards fat,exceeded tbose for set I1 ; the live weights were 19 per cent.greaterfor set 1 than for set 11, the carcases 21, the kidneys 42, the spleens33, the livers 32, the blood 59, the hair and skins 36, the largemuscles of the back (Ilia spinalis) 64, the two muscles of the bodycavity (Psons maynus) 38, and the bones 23 per cent. great,er. InBet I, 38 per cent. of the bodies, excluding bones, was f a t ; in set I1H. H. R1320 A HSTRACTS OF OHEMICAL PAPERS.46 per cent. of fat was present. The strength of the thigh boneswas determined by a specially constructed machine, and was found tobe 62 per cent. gyeater for set I than for set IT.From these retuitsthe authoi. inters that by varying the feeding, fat or lean can be pro-dnced at, will, and also that feeding exclusively with maize or ot.tierfoods over rich in carbohydrates affects the whole organism nnfavour-ably, and so may be dangerous if the animals are used for hreedinq.H. H. R.Cutaneous Excretion of Albumin by the Horse. By A.LECLERC (Compt. relid., 107, 128--126).-The white secretionfrequently observed on a horse which has perspired, yields anopalescent solution, which always contains albumin, alkaline chlo.rides, ammonium salts, urea, and one or more nitrogenous organiccompounds. On four consecutive dajs, a horse which perspiredfreely excreted 10.308, 5,558, 4.237, and 5,596 grams OP albuminrespectively. Auother horse, which perspired much less readily,excreted on four consecutive days 8.6U5, 2.701, 2690, and 4.114 gramsof albumin.It is evident that the loss of albuminoid and othernitrogen in this mauner must be taken into account in all considera-tions of the circulation of nitrogen.The dried perspiration forms a white deposit which has usuallybeen regarded as epithelial de'bris. The latter, however, is presenti n very small proportion, and the substance consists mainly of saltsand albumin which is still completely soluble in water.C. H. B.Mean Composition of Normal Urine. By YVON and B~~RLIOZ(Lancet, 2, 1888,629, from Rev. illtkZ., 8, 713-718).-A series of tablesof the analysis of normal urine are given. The observations are verynumerous, and were niade on healthy adult's, male and female.Thepresent results are contrasted with those of other authors, and in eachcase the maxima and minima as well aH the means are given. Thelatter are summavised thus :-Male. Female.Volume per diem ........ 1360 C.C. 1100 C.C.Specific gravity .......... 1,0225 1,0215Uric acid (per litre) ...... 0.5 ,, 0.55 ,,,, (per diem). ..... 0.6 ,, 0*5T ,,Phosphoric acid (per litre). 2.5 ,, 2.4 I ,9 9 (per diem) 3.2 ,, 2.6 9 ,Urea (per litre) .......... 21.3 gram 19.0 gram .. (per diem). ......... 26.5 .. 20.5 ,,Thus, with the exception of iiric acid, the amounts are higher oneach head among males than among females ; but with uric acid, thequantities eliminated in the 24 hours are almost precisely the samef o r the two sexes.The authors desire to correct, as resultiiig fromthese observations, the proportionate quantities of urea and uric acidgiven in their Manual of Urinary Aiialysis, which should be as4~ : 1 instead of 30 : 1, and of urea aiid phosphoric acid! whicllshould be as 8 : 1 instead of 10 : 1. W. L). HPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEJIISTRT. 1321Secretion of Urine when Pressure is exerted on the UrinaryCanals, By R. L~PINE and E. PORTEREP (Compt. rend.. 107, 74-77).-The experiments were made with dogs. A canula yvas placedin each ureter, and from one of these the urine was allowed toescape freely, the other being attached to an india-rubber tube. Inthe rjecond case, the urine escaped from the free end of the tube,and by raising this, a back pressure was produced by the accumu-lation of urine in the tube, the pressure being measured of courseby the height of the column of liquid.By operating in this manner,i t was possible to collect and analyse the urine secreted a t the sametime by each kidney, the one being under pressure whilst the otherwas under normal conditions.The quantity of urine secreted under pressure varies greatly indifferent animals. In some cases, the secretion is almost stopped,whilst in others it is only slightly reduced. I n these experiments, thesecretion was accelerated by the intra-venous injection of a 5 percent, solution of sodiuni chloride. The quantity of urine secretedhas no relation to the pressure. Under feeble pressure ; it would seemthat the quantity of urea diminishes in somewhat greater proportionthan the volume of urine, whilst with a pressure of 45 cm.the volumeof urine diminishes to a much p e s t e r extent than the quantity ofurea. As a rule, the inorganic salts vary in the same ratio as thevolume of urine, but under feeble pressure the ratio of chlorides ishigher than that of other salts, whilst under higher pressure the re-verse is the case. The proportion of phosphates also diminishesunder pressure. When sugar is injected into the veins, the quantityin the urine varies directly as the volume of the latter. The urineexcreted under pressure is really the resultant of a double process ofsecretion and resorption.Paralactic Acid in the Urine of Soldiers after a ForcedMarch.By G. COLASAYTI acd R. NOSCATELLI (Gnzzetta, 17, 548-557).-Although it has long been known that the ordinary opticallyinactive lactic acid occurs in urine both normal and patbological, thepresence of paralactic acid, the other ethylidenelactic acid, in normalurine has never been decisively proved ; i t has, however, been statedto exist in some pathological urines. The author has operated oncomparatively large quantities of fresh urine collected after forcedmarches of 20 to 25 kilometres, and has conclusively proved thepresence of paralactic acid in it. The urine, as soon as collected,was evaporated on the water-bath to a syrupy consistence, and theacid converted into the zinc salt by treatment with zinc carbonate inthe way recommended by Salkowski.The crude zinc salt wasrepeatedly washed with absolute alcohol, to remove a brown resinousRubstance, and then repeatedly crystallised. By spontaneous erapora-tion, it was obtained as a mass of coiourless, brilliant, microscopic,prismatic crystals of the composition of zinc paralactate,CsHloZnOs + 2H20,C. H. B.agreeing in all its properties with the salt described by Wislicenns.This proves beyond doubt that the acid which Du Boiv Reymon1322 ABSTRACTS O F CREYICAL PAPERS.has shown to be produced in muscle when i n activity enters into thecirculation; a part is oxidised to carbonic anhydride and water, asSpiro has recently proved experimentally, and a part passes throughthe kidneys unaltered, and is excreted with the urine.C.E. G.Behaviour of Urine after Ingestion of Naphthalene. ByEDLEFSEN (Chem. Centr., 1888, 1007, from Centr. KLin. Jfed., 9,Beil., 90--92).-Fresh urine after the use of naphthalene, gives a blueflourescerice when treated with ammonia or soda. When treated withbleaching powder and hydrochloric acid, i t gives the red P-naphtha-quinone reaction. Fischer’s reaction with diazoamidobenzene alsoshows the presence of p-naphthol. The urine becomes cherry-red onstanding for several days with acetic acid. Under these lattercircumstances, the phenol test may also be successfully applied.J. W. L.Excretion of Uric Acid. By A. HAIG (J. Physiol., 8, 211-217, Medico-Chirurg. Trans., 71, 125-138, and 283-295).-The ad-ministration of acids diminishes the relative amount of uric acidexcreted, and that of alkalis increases i t : as an instance, in one casethe normal proportion of uric acid to urea wa,s 1 : 35.After a fewdoses of 4 grams of citric acid, the relation was 1 : 41 ; after similardoses of potassium citrate, i t was 1 : 28. I n these cases, there is notonly a relative, but also an absolute diminution and increase in theuric acid excreted. The excretion of uric acid is much affected bythe digestion of food, and is three times as much during the “ alkalinetide” as a t other periods: a large part, of this increased secretionmust be regarded as a washing out of the uric acid accumulated inthe liver and spleen i n the “acid tide’’ periods between meals, orduring sleep, and not as entirely due to increased formation of uricacid during digestion.Certain peculiar forms of headache mostmarked during the strongest “ alkaline tide ” as during the digestionof breakfast, are regarded as being due to the increased amount ofuric acid in the circulation during that period. Surh headaches maybe cured by a dose of acid.Salicylic acid, however, forms an important exception to this rule,for while it increases urinary activity it does not in any waydiminish the excretion of uric acid; moreover, acids given whilesalicylates are present in the circulation have no longer the powerof diminishing the excretion of uric acid ; exceasive excretion ofuric acid under salicylates is not accompanied by any headache.Benzoates do not act in the same way, probably because hippuricacid which they form is less soluble than salicyluric acid.Both uricand salicyluric acids are present in the urine passed under the in-fluence of salicylates ; this is probably due to the salicglate actingon the uric acid in the blood, but not on that secreted by the kidneyitself. I n these experiments, Haycraft’s method of estimating uricncid was employed. Salicyluric acid does not give the reactions onwhich this process depends.A large part of the value of salicylates in uric acid diseases is dueto their preventing acids from causing retention of uric acid. SomPEPSTOLOQICATi CHEMISTRY. 1323drugs have the opposite action, and cause retention of uric acid.Lead, iron, and lithia are instances of these.The action of lead inprecipitating an attack of gout is well known. Iron also causesrelapses in gout and does harm in epilepsy and uric acid headache,On the other hand, salicylates prevent gout, t,he peculiar headache inquestion. and also epilepsy. This and certain other facts notchemical in nature seem to place epilepsy in the same category asgout, and it is considered probable that epilepsy is really an uric aciddisease, the poison (uric acid) acting on the nerve-centres.W. D. H.Lactic Acid in the Urine of Cold-blooded Animals afterExtirpation of the Liver. By E. NEBELTHAU (Zeit. HioZ.. 25,123-136).-Minkowski (Arch. Exp. Path. Pharm., 21, 41) hasshown that lactic acid is present, in the urine of geese from whichtjhe liver has been removed, and absent in the urine of heallhy geese,Marouse has investigated the question whether the same holds truef o r the cold-blooded animals (P’iiger’s Archiv, 39, 425) ; he foundin the case of frogs that it did.He used as a test for lactic acidUffelmann’s colonr reaction with ferric chloride (Zeit. klin. Jfed., 8,392) ; he also found that the calcium salt prepared from the acid hada percentage of water of cryst,allisation corresponding with that ofcnlcium lactate. Marcuse’s experiments not being considered satis-factory, from the small quantity of material he worked with, andUffelmann’s test being not wholly characteristic of lactic acid, thepresent research was undertaken. Preliminary experiments withtortoises proved negative, as these animals secreted no urine after theoperation.Frogs were then taken. Some hundreds were kept in atank, in water; the increase in the volume of the water was takenas being due to the urine of these animals. The urine thus tookseveral weeks t o collect, and putrefaction was prevented by the useof a small quantity of corrosive sublimate. The liver was thenremoved, and the urine similarly collected; by this method manylitres of frog’s urine was obtained.The following are the chief analytical facts ascertained with regardto the urine before and after the operation :-Before operation. After operation.Specific gravity. ........ 1.0015 1.0025Reaction ............... faintly acid less acidTotal solids ............ 0.1062 per cent.0.140 per cent.Ammonia.. ............. 0.0054 ,, 0.0122 ,,.............. absent .................. absentabsentChloridesPhosphatesUric acid absentUrea presentLactic acid ............. absentThe method adopted in the case of lactic acid was to attempt t oprepare zinc lactate ; none was obtainable in either case. The experi-ment was repeated using a different method of collecting the urine ;..............Sulphates .............. present present ............. 1324 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.this time it was simply Rqueezed several times daily from the bladderof the animals. I n this way, nearly 8 litres were obtained (by theprevious method only 3 litres were obtained between the operationand the death of the animals). From this quantity collected afterthe operation of removal of the liver, 0.1279 gram of it zinc saltwas obtained, which in two of its properties resembled paralactate ofzinc, namely, in the yellow colour it, gave with ferric chloride, and inthe lsvorotatory action of its solution, on polarised light.Theqnantity obtained was insufficient to make trustworthy estimations ofwater of crystallisation, and the crystalline form of tlie substancegave no very conclusive evidence. W. D. H.Thiocyanic Acid in the Animal Organism. By J. BRUYLANTS(J. Pharrn. [ 5 ] , 18, 104-107, 153-156). The identification of thio-cganic acid was based on the following facts : When an aqueous solutionof the above compound is treated with an excess of hydrochloric acidand with ether, the thiocyanic acid passes completely into the etherwithout decomposition, provided not too much be present. When athiocyanate is distilled with an excess of a strong mineral acid, mostof the thiocyanic acid passes over with the first portions of the distil-late. I n saliva from healthy subjects, the amount found correspondedto 0.0963 pram of ammonium thiocyanat,e per litre.Human urineaveraged O*OV27 gram per litre, about one-tenth of the amountadmitted by Gscheidlen, and one-fortieth of the average proposed byMunck. There appears to be no definite relation between the amountfound in saliva and the amount found in urine. Horse’s urine con-tains a little more than humari urine. Cow’s urine averages 0.0042gram per litre. Defibrinated cow’s blood contxined 0.000; 5 gramper litre. and driedalbumin contained 0 0095 gram per kilo.Cow’s bile contained 0.01gram per litre. Three samples of cow’s milk gave respectively 0.0008,~ 0 0 2 4 , 0.0016 gram per litre. The foregoing results show thatthiocyanic acid is found not only in saliva, but in most, if not all,physiological and pathological fluids. It is difficult to think that thiscompound is formed exclusively in the saliva, since in some individualsthis secretion has only contained traces, wliilst the urine containedrelatively large amounts. J. ‘1’.P. W. LATHAM (Lancet, 2, 1888,751-756).-This address constituted t,he Harveian oration for thepresent year, and will be found to contain many suggestions of in-terest both t o the chemist and biologist.Among other points, it isshown how it is possible to obtain certain of the poisonous alkalojidsor ptomaines, on the supposition that the author’s theory of the con-stitutiou of albumin is correct.Pernicious Anaemia. By W. HUNTER (Lancet, 2, 1888,555-559,608-611,654-648). In an elaborate research, clinical, microscopical,and chemical, into the pathology of the obscure disewe known aspernicious anmmia, the following conclusions are drawn :-The essen-tial pathological feature is au excessive destruction of the microscopicSerum from cow’s blood gave 0*0009 gram ;Blood Changes in Disease.(Abstr., 1886, 635.) W. D. HPHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 1325elements of the blood, not an insufficient format.ion of these. Themost constant change is a large excess of iron in the liver, which atonce distinguishes pernicious ancemia post morteni from all othervarieties of ansmia.The destruction of the blood differs both in itsnsture and sent from that found in mdaria, and in varioiis forms ofhemoglohinuria,. The view can no longer be held that the occurrenceof hsmoglobin in the urine simply depends on the quantity of hsmo-globin set free; on the contrary, t,he seat of the destruction and theform assumed by the hemoglobin when liberated are important con-ditions regulatiuq the presence or absence of that substance in theurine, in any case in which an excessive disintegration of corpuscleshas occurred. In paroxysmal hemoglobinuria, such disintegrationoccurs in the general circuhtion, and is due t o a rapid dissolntion ofthe red corpuscles. In pernicious ansmia, however, the sent of t,hodestruction is chiefly the portal circulation, more especially thatportion of it contained within the spleen and the liver, and the de-struction is effected hy the action of certain poisonous aqents of acadaveric nature absorbed from the intestinal tract.W. D. H.By SKVORTZOFF (Brit. Med. JOUT.,2, 1888, 727, from V~atsch, 1888, 561).-This is a preliminary notegiving the results of experiments on dogs, carried out with the viewof determining the action of iron on nitrogenous metabolism in ahealLhy organism. The following are the conclusions :--(l.) Iron hasno marked influence on the nitrogenous metamorphosis in a healthyRystem. ( 2 .) On the internal administration of iron in daily doses,over 0.02 to 0.03 gram, the assimilation of the nitrogenous ingre-dients of the food decreases, although but slightly (from 98.4 percent. before the experiment to 97 per cent. during it). (3.) Aftervenesection, the assirnilation somewhat increases, both on the adminis-tration of iron and without it. (4.) On the administration of ironwith food after venesection, the restoration of hsmoglobin proceedsmore rapidly than without iron. (5.) The same holds true in regardto the body’s weight.Physiological Action of Ulexine. J. R. BRADFORD (J. Physiol.,8, 79-85) .-Ulexine is an alkaloid originallg prepared by Gerrardfrom the seeds of the common gorse (Ulez Europeeus). The hydro-bromide was used, since this salt crystallises more readily than anyother, and so may be obtained in a greater degree of purity.It wasfound to have a powerful and wide-spread action, being a nerve andmuscle poison, a reppiratory poison raising arterial tension, and pro-duciug diuresis. The pardvsis of resDiration is produced by thoPhysiological Action of Iron.W. D. H.small& doses, and is ipparently the Aost important action of thedrug. W. D. El.Albumose, Peptone, and Neurine as Pyrexial Agents. ByI. OTT and C. UOLLMAR ( J . Physiol., 8, 218--228).-The variousalbnmoses as prepared by Kuhne and Chittenden, peptone, papain(probably from the fact that it consists largely of an albumose),neurine, and commercial trypsin (which also contains products ofYOL.LIY. 4 1326 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.digestion), all cmse in cats and rabbits a rise of temperature or fever,Calorimetric observations show also an increase in heat production.The feyer reaches its height about two hours after the injection of thesubstance into the jugular vein. This, however, does not occur incurarised animals. Pfluger has shown that curare paralyses thethermic nerve-fibres, and so the action of these substances is pro-bably primarily on the nervous system.Toxic Effects of Albuminous Urine. By J. TEISSIE~Z and G.ROQUE (Compt. rend., 107, 272-275).-1n some cases, an increase inthe toxic effect of urine affords valuable evidence of increased gravityin the condition of the patient, but this does not always hold good,especially in cases of nephritis. Albuminous urine secreted duringsleep is more poisoiious than that secreted when awake, whilst withnormal urine the reverse is true. In some cases, the toxic effect is inproportion to the quantity of albumin present, but in other casesthere is no relation of this kind. NO definite connection could betraced betweeu the general composition of the urine and its toxicaction. C. H. B.By E. GLEY(Compf. rend., 107, 348-351) .-The characteristic effect of bothsubstances is the rapid etfect on the heart of a frog which is arrestedin systole. 0.025 of a milligram of ouabajin produces this effect in sixminutes, whilst the same quantity of strophantin requires 12 minutes.With 0.012 milligram of ouabai'n, the arrest takes place in nine minutes.To the rabbit, ouaba'in is twice ar, poisonous as strophantin, t o a dogthree times, to a guinea-pig four times. Moreover, strophantin isalways less rapid in its action. Both compounds act less energeticallywhen introduced into the stomach than when injected into the veins.Preventive Inoculation of Rattlesnake Venom, By H.SEWALL (J. Physiol., 8, 203-210).--Repeated inoculation of pigeonsVith sub-lethal doses of rattlesnake venom (which has been shown byprevious observers to be prote'id in nature, see Abstr., 1886, 1057)produces a continually increasing resistance towards the injuriouseffects of the poison without any apparent influence ou the generalhealth of the animals. The efficiency of resistance against thevenom gradually fails in the absence of fresh inoculation. In somecases, however, the prophylactic effect uf the repeated inoculations waspersistent for a period of five months.M. D. H.Toxic Action of Ouabai'n and Strophantin.C. H. B.W. D. H