Report on the recent contributions of chemistry to the medical profession : read before the Pathological Society of Baltimore, June 16, 1857 / by Lewis H. Steiner.

  • Steiner, Lewis H. (Lewis Henry), 1827-1892.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the recent contributions of chemistry to the medical profession : read before the Pathological Society of Baltimore, June 16, 1857 / by Lewis H. Steiner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    0 upon the addition of some- decomposing nitrogenous sub- stance to a saccharine solution—being in fact established by the catalyzing effects of molecular changes—it is but fair to suppose it may also result from such molecular changes as take place during the formation of nitrogenous com- pounds. . But if we look at the many theories which exist with regard to the nature of catalysis, and consider that it is, at most, but a word employed to rid the puzzled chemist of the difficulties which arise concerning certain changes. we shall see how difficult it is either to confirm or disprove any such theory. The whole subject of the changes to which tugar is liable in the animal system, and wherein a sufficient cause exists for the explanation of its conversion into lactic acid, still seems to be one open for much study before we can arrive at undoubted conclusions. The theory however of Dr. Pftvy, just given, is highly ingenious, and commends itself to our consideration as the most plausible yet advanced on this interesting subject. M. Baudrimont* of the Ecole de Pharmacie has noted the fact that in a case of diabetes, of six years' standing, the amount of sugar varied from 30 grammes in the litre, down to a mere trace, depending upon the period of the clay when the urine was voided, and that the largest quantity was pre- sent a few hours after dinner, but that, after 12 or 14 hours had elapsed, only a slight trace could be detected in the urine. Thinking it might be important to see what effect a large amount of sugar taken into the stomach would have on the amount found in the secretion, he commenced takinu large quantities of syrup daily—as much indeed as 500 grammes—near 8,000 grains tro}T. He was forced to relin- quish the experiment, however, in consequence of the ex- treme disgust occasioned by the use of so large an amount of sugar, and the severe pain which it produced in the lum- bar regions. By means of experiments similar to this, much may be obtained that will elucidate this subject. The glu- * Journ. de Chfcn. Med. ii, 69.