20 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF [Biolog. 



gastric juice ; proving that the lactic acid developed during the fermentation of 

 albumen is capable of decomposing during distillation the alkaline chlorides 

 found in the white of the egg. 



I should state, however, that I do not regard the above facts as finally con- 

 clusive on the subject. More experiments are required to demonstrate the 

 identity of the principle obtained with pepsin. 



Dr. Woodward objected to considering the ferment thus produced identical 

 or even closely similar to that of the gastric juice. The gastric juice which 

 this fluid was supposed to resemble did not putrify if kept even for months, 

 whereas the solution produced from albumen, as was stated by Dr. Morris, 

 rapidly putrified. So also the peptones did not undergo putrefaction even in a 

 considerable period of time ; the gastric juice acting as an antiseptic, which 

 it appeared from Dr. Morris' statement was not the case with the solution of 

 albumen formed by the new ferment. He suggested the following points for 

 investigation before the similitude should be hastily determined upon. 



1. Is the solution of albumen in the new ferment albuminose, and has it its 

 peculiar reactions ? 



2. Will flesh and similar nitrogenous compounds be dissolved ? 



3. Will the new ferment interfere with the transformation of starch into grape 

 sugar, as does the gastric juice ? 



And, lastly. Is the peculiar fungus of the gastric juice developed in it when 

 kept? 



II. Pathology. 



Dr. Mitchell read a paper, entitled " On the Production of Cataract in Frogs ly 

 the injection of large doses of sugar."* 



November. 

 I. Pathology. 



Dr. Woodward exhibited a specimen of foliaceous crystals of the Phosphates 

 formed during the slow alkaline fermentation of urine in a close stoppered phial. 

 These crystals were remarkable for their huge size, some of them being f- of an 

 inch in length. In chemical behaviour they exactly resembled the smaller 

 sized stellar and foliaceous crystals common to alkaline urine. 



Dr. Woodward also exhibited a specimen of highly acid urine, in which the 

 acid fermentation had been progressing several days, accompanied by a sedi- 

 iment of uric acid. On the surface was a scum of Penicilium glaucum, which 

 entangled in its meshes numerous crystals of the ammoniaco-magnesian phos- 

 phates in fine prisms. This observation, which was the first of the kind he had 

 made, contradicted the general statement made by some, thatphosphatic crystals 

 only fall in alkaline urine. 



December. 



I. Pathology. 



Dr. Woodward'read a paper entitled " Remarks on errors in the anatomical di- 

 agnosis of Cancer." \ 



Tn accordance with the By-Law of the Department to that effect, the officer* 

 of the Department for the ensuing year were elected at the first meeting of the 

 month. They are as follows : 



Director Dr. Leidy. 



Vice-Director Dr. S. W. Mitchell. 



Recorder Dr. Walter F. Atlee. 



Treasurer Mr. Queen. 



Conservator Dr. J. Cheston Morris. 



Auditors Messrs. Slack, Sergeant and Dr. Wurts. 



* See American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for January, 1860. 

 t See American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for April, 1860, 



[Dec 



