Liebig's question to Mulder tested by morality and science / by G.T. Mulder ; translated by P.F.H. Fromberg.

Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Liebig's question to Mulder tested by morality and science / by G.T. Mulder ; translated by P.F.H. Fromberg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    130/140 page 118
    One of the most important differences between these two bodies, is exhibited by the action of chlorine. When a current of this gas is passed through a solution of protein, the compound produced has a composition which is represented by the formula C40 H30 ]s;5 012 + C1 03 and when passed through a solution of the bi-oxide, the precipitate has the formula C40 H30 N4 O17 + Cl O3 (Van Laer, Van Kerckhoff, and T. L. Tilanus in Scheikund. Onderz., Deel I., p. 171, Deel II., p. 400, Deel III, p. 309.) This is an important difference. Fibrin, albumen and casein—all of which produce C40 jj30 ]^5 012 + 0} 03—are distinguished by this property from horn, whalebone, and hair—the sub- stance obtained from these having the formula C40 JI30 N4 017 + 01 03. Liebig’s assertion, therefore, “ that we have recently been presented with so many various substances, which, although most different in properties, are all to be con- sidered as oxides of protein” (Annalen, January 1846, p. 130), does not certainly apply to this body, of which every impartial person will acknowledge, both that it differs from protein, and that it is always one and the same, although prepared from the most different sub- stances, such as horn, whalebone, and hair. e. Tri-oxide of Protein, C40 H30 N5 O15 + HO. Van Laer obtained this body from hair in the an- hydrous state (Sclieik. Onderz., Deel I., p. 161). He found it to possess the same properties as the hydrate, except that it is a little less soluble in water. In the Bulletin, 1839, p. 406, I have described the proper-
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3