sharply as concentration increases until only an insignificant fraction of the reactive material is indicated by a measurement of the color values of the solutions containing any considerable amount of the reactive substance. (7) Because of the peculiar form of the color curves in relation to concentration, it becomes necessary for one to know the approximate concentration of reactive material in advance of the colorimetric determination so that the colors may be developed and read at such a concentration that the maximum color values will be developed. (8) Because of the fact that solutions of tyrosine and tryptophane do not give the same color values at equivalent concentrations, it is impossible to measure accurately the sum of these amino acids in a mixture which contains no other reactive substances. (9) Protein hydrolysates must not be boneblacked if they are to be used subsequently for a quantitative determination of amino acid content, for the boneblack adsorbs at least tyrosine, tryptophane and tryptophane decomposition products in appreciable amounts. Whether or not other amino acids were adsorbed was not determined. (10) Boneblack contains some easily oxidizable material, probably reduced iron; which dissolves in acid solutions. These acid solutions give the blue color with the phenol reagent. The humin formed by the acid hydrolysis of proteins. VI. The effect of acid hydrolysis upon tryptophane: GEORGE E. HOLM and Ross AIKEN GORTNER. Tryptophane was boiled with 20 per cent. hydrochloric acid for various lengths of time up to 144 hours and the solutions studied with respect to deaminization, humin formation and nitrogen distribution. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Tryptophane is slowly altered and parts of the molecule are broken down by long acid hydrolysis. (2) Tryptophane, in the absence of aldehydes or other reactive compounds, contributes but an insignificant fraction of its nitrogen to the "acid insoluble" humin. A much larger amount of the tryptophane appears in the "soluble humin' after 144 hours' boiling with acid. Since, however, a normal protein hydrolysis rarely requires more than 24 hours' boiling, it appears extremely improbable that the "total" humin of such a hydrolysate is derived from tryptophane without the intervention of some other reactive compound, which we have postulated in our earlier papers to be of the nature of an aldehyde. (3) Tryptophane is relatively easily deaminized by boiling with 20 per cent. hydrochloric acid. probably some of the ammonia of a normal protein hydrolysate is derived from tryptophane instead of being entirely derived from amide groupings. (4) When tryptophane has been boiled with 20 per cent. hydrochloric acid the distribution of the nitrogen is such that errors may be introduced into both the "basic" nitrogen and the "nonbasic nitrogen" fraction of a Van Slyke determination. The alkali reserve in pellagra: M. X. SULLIVAN and R.-E. STANTON. Of fifty-six separate cases tested by alkali reserve by the alveolar air method and by the determination of the carbon dixide bound by the blood plasma, none showed a marked depletion of the alkali reserve, about one third showed a slightly subnormal level, while the greater number of cases were within normal limits. There is little acidosis in pellagra. The mosaic disease of spinach as characterized by its nitrogen constituents: S. L. JODIDI, S. C. MOULTON, K. S. MARKLEY. Spinach plants, especially their tops, affected with mosaic disease, have a smaller percentage of total, nitrate, acid amide, mono and diamono nitrogen, but a somewhat larger percentage of ammonia than normal plants, nitrous acid being present in diseased plants only. This is due to the fact that denitrification takes place whereby nitrates are reduced to nitrites which reacting on the various nitrogenous compounds present in the spinach bring about elimination of nitrogen in a free state, involving also a loss of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Very little denitrification, if any, takes place in the roots of diseased spinach. This is evident from the fact that the differences in total, nitrate, amino nitrogen content, etc., of the roots of healthy and diseased plants are usually quite small, running sometimes in opposite direction. Conditions with regard to peptide and protein nitrogen are apparently somewhat more complicated. In the samples examined the proportion of peptide nitrogen is higher in diseased tops than in normal, while the proportion of protein nitrogen is higher in diseased roots than in normal, this being also true of diseased leaves when related to the total nitrogen. This is conceivable since the latter is here smaller due to loss through denitrification. In round figures the spinach nitrogen is made up of 55 per cent. protein nitrogen, 4.5 per cent. diamino nitrogen, 5.5 per cent. monoamino nitrogen, and 6 per cent. peptide nitrogen. This means that over 70 per cent. of the nitrogenous compounds occurring in spinach have direct nutritive value. The effect of conditions on the relation of seed plants to H-ion concentration of nutrient solutions: B. M. DUGGAR. The results of work previously reported indicate that in the preparation of salt (or so-called mineral nutrient) solutions for the solution culture of seed plants under the most favorable conditions, consideration must be given to the hydrogen ion concentration as well as to salt proportions. The hydrogen ion concentrations of carefully prepared and analytically pure monobasic phosphates are for some plants near or above the critical point for growth maintenance. The effects of changes in the environment, especially temperature and humidity affect in no simple manner the response of the plant to changes in PH. The optimum Р like the optimum temperature may be represented by a considerable range of values and may be defined closely only in relation to other environmental conditions. The relation of dextrose to hydrogen ion concentration with B. Coli: WILLIAM H. CHAMBERS. By correlating the property of B. coli to produce acid from dextrose with the property of alkali formation in dextrose-free bouillon, it was possible to control the hydrogen ion concentration of a growing culture within a narrow zone by the addition of small amounts of dextrose at frequent intervals. The initial amount of dextrose furnished determined the maximum hydrogen ion concentration attained. Reversion of reaction is demonstrated in bouillon with .3 per cent. or less of dextrose. Growth curves plotted from plate determinations show the inhibitory and lethal effects of alkali and acid. The determination of small amounts of chlorine in tissues: RICHARD D. BELL and E. A. DOISY. A method, based on that of Neumann, is described for the rapid determination of 3-10 mg. of chlorine in tissues. The tissue is digested with sulfuric acid and persulfate and the gases absorbed in alkali. No cyanide is formed by this digestion process. The sulfur dioxide evolved reduces hypo-chlorite to chloride. The chlorides are precipitated with standard silver nitrate. The mixture is concentrated to a small volume, made up to 25 c.c. and filtered. The filtrate is titrated using the solutions of McLean and Van Slyke. For whole blood and plasma, the results agree with those obtained by Foster's modification of the method of McLean and Van Slyke. Pectin studies; I. Effect of pectin on the hydrogen ion concentration of acid and of alkaline solutions: H. E. PATTEN and T. O. KELLEMS. The oxidation of acetoacetic acid by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of glucose: P. A. SCHAFFER. Influence of fermentation on the starch content of experimental silage: A. W. Dox and LESTER YODER. A study of experimental corn silage at different stages of fermentation which was normal as regards development of aroma and changes in acidity, alcohol and sugar content, leads to the following conclusions: (1) Changes in total acidity, alcohol and sugar are independent of the starch content of the ensiled corn and of the silage produced from it. (2) The first intermediate products resulting from decomposition of starch are not present in demonstrable quantities. (3) The starch content remains constant throughout the fermentation process. (4) The starch granules remain intact, undergoing no physical change that can be detected by microscopic examination. In Water-soluble B vitamines: II. Are the antineuritic and the growth-promoting vitamines the same? A. D. EMMETT and MABEL STOCKHOLM. previous work in feeding pigeons and young rats the same basal diet as the only source of watersoluble B vitamine, we found that the antineuritic vitamine (pigeons) and the growth-promoting (rats) were not the same. In further studies, carried out on yeast, rats and pigeons, it has been ascertained, by using the Williams quantitative yeast method, that the "vitamine" that stimulates growth in the yeast cell is not antineuritic, as has been claimed, but simply growth-promoting. Further, this "vitamine" apparently has very little if anything to do with the growth of the rat. Therefore, the water-soluble B vitamine appears to be much more complex than many have been led to believe. CHARLES L. PARSONS, Secretary For Better He Head's Mouth Hygiene Everyday Mouth Hygiene. By Joseph Receding gums, heart troubles, stom- Bandler's Expectant Mother The Expectant Mother. By S. Wyllis This book aims to insure the health of Griffith's Care of the Baby Care of the Baby. By J. P. Crozer Grif- Abt's The Baby's Food The Baby's Food. By Isaac A. Abt. net. The health of a baby is more inti- Galbraith's Hyg h for Hygiene and Physical Exercise Pyle's Personal Hygiene Personal Hygiene. By Walter L. Pyle, To achieve success in life there is one Brady's Personal Health Personal Health, By William Brady Do you know how to take care of Stokes' Third Great Plague The Third Great Plague. By John H. Public education has practically eradi- At Leading Bookstores or W. B. SAUNDERS COMPANY Philadelphia and London Important New Texts and Editions Principles of Biochemistry--Robertson New Biochemistry is presented in close relationship to physiology, so that the student may perceive the intimate dependence of these two sciences and come to regard physiological chemistry as the foundation upon which we must ultimately build our interpretations of the functions of living matter. Emphasis has been placed upon the practical applications of the subject, and not only to the practice of medicine, but also upon applications to the industries and to general biology. Thus, this text-book is not only for medical students and students specializing in biochemistry and physiology, but for the agricultural student, the student of general biology or the industrial chemist engaged in handling biological products. By T. Brailsford Robertson, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Adelaide, South Australia. Formerly Professor of Biochemistry, University of Toronto; Professor of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of California. Octavo, 634 pages, with 50 illustrations. Cloth, $8.00 net. Qualitative Chemical Analysis--Bradley New Qualitative analysis is of use to the pharmacist in testing chemicals for identity and purity. The study of the subject is also of value because of the practical knowledge of chemicals and chemical processes acquired by the student, and because it gives practical training in careful observation and develops the reasoning powers as they are exercised in the interpretation of results. This Laboratory Manual was prepared as a guide for the author's own classes, and the objects sought are to acquaint the student with the general methods of qualitative analysis and to prepare him to carry out such qualitative tests as the pharmacist may be called upon to make. The course is arranged to include one hour of lecture, one hour of recitation and about three hours of laboratory work per week for one school year. Practice on the analysis of unknown solutions is provided for throughout the course. This is important, as it not only increases the interest of the student in the work but also develops his self-reliance by constantly putting him upon his own responsibility in doing his work and in interpreting his results. The introductory section of the theory of chemistry may be omitted if it is not necessary for the class to study or review this part of the subject. The Manual is in no sense a reference book, and in general only those things are included that are needed as a guide for the laboratory work. By Theodore J. Bradley, A.M., B. S., Ph.G., Dean and Professor of Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Octavo, 136 pages. Cloth, $2.50 net. Pharmacy--Caspari and Kelly New (6th) There has been a most thorough revision of this work, all parts being brought up-to-date, while new chapters on light and sterilization have been added in Part 1. PART I comprises General Pharmacy, which includes the study of weights and measures, specific gravity, the application and control of heat, mechanical subdivision of drugs, and methods of solution and separation, together with a classification and description of the various plant products and solvents used in pharmacy. PART II treats of Practical Pharmacy. This involves a study of the official galenical preparations, incompatibility, together with the many operations of the dispensing counter. It has been the author's aim to explain as clearly as possible the various processes and aparatus met with in this department, and to point out the difficulties likely to be encountered as well as the remedies thereof. PART III is devoted to Pharmaceutical Chemistry the study of which is of paramount importance to every student of pharmacy. While the subject is a very comprehensive one it has been confined in this work, to such compounds as are either officially recognized in the United States Pharmacopoeia or are of special interest to pharmacists. By Charles Caspari, Jr., late Professor of Pharmacy, University of Maryland. Revised by E. F. Kelly, Dean and Professor of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Maryland. Octavo, 954 pages, with 329 engravings. Cloth, $8.00 net. Essentials of Histology--Schafer New (11th) This book is written with the object of supplying the student with directions for the microscopic examination of the tissues. At the same time it is intended to serve as an elementary text-book of histology; comprising the essential facts of the science, but omitting less important details. For conveniently accompanying the work of a class of medical students, the book is divided into fifty lessons. Only those methods are recommended upon which experience has proved that dependence can be placed, but the directions given are for the most part easily capable of modification in accordance with the ideas of different teachers. The present edition is somewhat larger than the last. It has been completely revised, and many additional illustrations (75) have been added. By Sir Edward S. Schafer, M.D., Sc.D., LL.D., F.R.S. Professor of Physiology, University of Edinburgh; formerly Jodrell Professor of Physiology in University College, London. Octavo, 577 pages, with 720 illustrations. Cloth, $4.50 net. 706-8-10 Sansom St. PHILADELPHIA LEA & FEBIGER 2 West 45th Street NEW YORK WILLIAM HENRY WELCH1 A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH On this memorable and beautiful occasion I have the cherished honor of having been chosen to perform, as it were, the duties of chronicler, in order that we may all be led to review in our minds the successive steps by which our great leader and master rose to such high distinction and wrought the miracle of giving to medicine a new birth in this country; and in order, also, that our successors, lighting their lamps at the shrine of Pathology and studying the treasures which these precious volumes enclose, may catch a gleam of what manner of man he was who produced them, and by the vigor of his living example and the charm of a rare personality, as well as by the power of his spoken and written word, in the short span of a lifetime raised medicine in the United States from a beneficent art to an expanding science. William Henry Welch was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, April 8, 1850. He was the son of William and Emeline (Collin) Welch. His father was a practising physician, as were four of his father's brothers. Moreover, a great grandfather and grandfather were also physicians. When about one year of age, William Henry's mother died; thereafter he was 1 An introduction to the collected papers and addresses of Dr. Welch, compiled in his honor on the occasion of his seventieth birthday, to be published in three volumes by the Johns Hopkins Press under the editorial supervision of a committee consisting of John J. Abel, Lewellys F. Barker, Frank Billings, Walter C. Burket, William T. Councilman, Harvey Cushing, John M. T. Finney, Simon Flexner, William S. Halsted, William H. Howell, John Howland, Henry M. Hurd, Henry Barton Jacobs, William W. Keen, Howard A. Kelly, William G. MacCallum, William J. Mayo, Ralph B. Seem, Winford H. Smith, William S. Thayer, J. Whitridge Williams, Hugh H. Young. |