Analysis of a biliary concretion : and on a new method of preparing biliverdin / by Dr. T. L. Phipson.

  • Phipson, T. L. (Thomas Lamb), 1833-1908.
Date:
[1867]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Analysis of a biliary concretion : and on a new method of preparing biliverdin / by Dr. T. L. Phipson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    which was identified after being crystalhsed from boiling alcohol, Avhich yielded it on cooluig in its characteristic pearly laraellse, taking a fine purple colour with concentrated sulphuric acid. After the action of ether, alcohol extracted a notable amount of hyocholate of soda, together with a little fi'ee hyo- cholic acid, and a neutral white substance, which is neither soluble in water, acids, nor alkalis (hyocholin). The hyocho- late of soda is isolated from this mixtiu-e by water, and upon evaporation the salt is obtained witli its characteristic bitter taste, exceedingly pex'manent; and the free hyocholic acid is next obtained by a dilute solution of soda, when the tlm-d sub- stance, which I call hyocholin, remains on the filter. The hyocholate of soda being decomposed by dilute sulphuric acid, yields the acid, which melts readily in hot water below 100° C, and I find that when hyocholic acid is thus melted it is no longer easily soluble in dilute ammonia. When the calcidus is treated with a hot solution of soda for a little time, a large amount of the yellow colouring matter is dissolved, and with it some caprylic acid, easily recognizable by its peculiar odour when the base is saturated with sulphmic acid, as well as by the odour of pine apple, Avhich it gives on being digested with alcohol and hydrochloric acid. The greater portion of the concretion is formed of cholepyrrhin (or bili- phein of Heintz) and mucus. The separation of these two substances can only be effected accurately by the folloAving method:— After determining the moisture at 105° C, the substance of the concretion is left in ether for 24 horns. The ether is then separated, and a new quantity added. In a day or two this is added to the former quantity, and the whole evaporated ;y'ields the cholesterm with a small amount of grease. The concre- tion is then treated several times with alcohol below boilhig point, and the liquids being united and evaporated give the hyocholate of soda, with which is mixed some free hyocholic acid and the neutral substance (in appearance somewhat like palmitic acid) before alluded to. If suflicient ether and sufficient alcohol are used, and the whole is left for two or three days, a second treatment with these reagents is not necessary, provided the residue is waslied with ether and alcohol. The calculus, l)eing deprived of the substances soluble in these liquids, is next digested with alcohol strongly acidulated with hydro-