Copy 1, Volume 1

Animal chemistry with reference to the physiology and pathology of man / By Dr. J. Franz Simon. Translated and edited by George E. Day.

  • Simon, Johann Franz, 1807-1843.
Date:
1845-1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Animal chemistry with reference to the physiology and pathology of man / By Dr. J. Franz Simon. Translated and edited by George E. Day. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    33/426 (page 13)
    e. Potash and protein. On the addition of protein to a concen- trated solution of potash, and submitting the mixture to ebulli- tion decomposition takes place, and a crystalline substance, two distinct extractive matters, and formate and carbonate of am- monia are produced. After the alkaline solution has been neu- tralized as completely as possible by sulphuric acid ; the formic acid may be removed by gentle distillation. On evaporating the mixture to about one third of its volume, the greater part of the sulphate of potash will separate in a crystalline state. After its removal, the fluid which is of a reddish brown colour must be reduced to the consistence of an extract, and then treated with boiling alcohol, which will take up everything except any sulphate of potash that may have escaped previous removal. As the alcoholic solution cools, erythroprotid is depo- sited, in the form of a reddish brown extract. Itis readily solu- ble in water, and in boiling, but not in cold, alcohol; and it is precipitable from its aqueous solution by the salts of lead, silver, and mercury, of a rose-red colour: it is also precipitable by tannic acid. From an analysis of the combination of erythro- protid with oxide of lead, Mulder has estimated its composition! aC NO, Subsequently to the deposition of erythroprotid, leucin se- parates in a crystalline state. It occurs in brillant plates or scales, somewhat resembling cholesterm. It cranches between the teeth, is inodorous and tasteless, and sublimes unchanged tation in the amount of oxidised protein must produce inflammation, which may in its turn determine fever. Hence also it happens that stimulating foods and drinks, which quicken the respiration, or cold air, which introduces more oxygen into the lungs, often give the first impulse to the development of inflammation in the organism. The buffy coat is formed when the oxides of protein predominate in the blood; when they accumulate in any particular part of the system, local inflammation is the result. In the latter case, morbid products, e.g. false membranes, &c., are evolved, which are found on analysis to be in a great measure composed of oxidised protein. Now inflammation must be combated by endeavouring to diminish the quantity of the tritoxide of protein, and to hinder its formation in the lungs. Venesection proves antiphlogistic by directly diminishing the tritoxide of protein: increased secretion of the alimentary canal indirectly produces the same effect by accelerating the change of substance in the body, and consequently also the consumption of a greater quan- tity of protein and its oxides.