192 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



gations, because by their means ozone can be employed in a much 

 more concentrated form than it is ever possible to obtain it in its gase- 

 ous condition. Accordingly, there are two methods of ascertaining 

 the influence of ozone on organic substances : one is, to shake the sub- 

 stance in ajar of repeatedly renewed ozonized air; the other, to mix 

 the substance with ozonized oil. The general results of both methods 

 are, of course, the same ; but the oil is more rapid and more complete 

 in its action ; and it has this further advantage, that by means of Tr. 

 Guaiaci you can ascertain readily the degree of affinity that the sub- 

 stance has for the ozone. Thus, if blood be mixed with the tincture, 

 and then some ozonized oil be added to it, there is instantly a blue 

 color produced, showing that there has been a liberation of ozone 

 from the oil, which, in its passage through the liquid, has acted on 

 the tincture. But if a solution of sugar be substituted for the blood, 

 no such change of color occurs, because the sugar, unlike the blood, 

 has no desire for the ozone, which, therefore, is not set free from 

 the oil. 



The general action of ozone on those organic substances which are 

 amenable to its influence, is one of active oxidation ; and the study 

 of these actions enables us to trace, in some instances, the stages 

 through which the more complex organic substances pass in their 

 decomposition, as well as to distinguish those which are more fixed 

 in their constitution, and therefore resist the tendency to destruction 

 by oxidation. As a general rule, it is found that those substances 

 which may be oxidized by the action of Pb O 2 , are also readily acted 

 on by ozone. I do not intend, however, to refer to organic sub- 

 stances which are not found in the animal body, but shall speak first 

 of the changes which are observed to take place in blood, under the 

 influence of this agent, partly because they are more marked and 

 more energetic in this fluid than in any other, and partly because 

 they present points of special interest in relation to the vital processes. 

 Blood is very greedy of ozone, i. e., it absorbs it very rapidly and in 

 large quantities, whether from the air or from other solutions. If 

 blood, freed from fibrin, which has been made quite red by shaking 

 with air, be mixed with the ozonized ether or turpentine, it under- 

 goes a gradual change of color; it darkens, becoming like venous 

 blood, and at last it is perfectly black. This change, however, re- 

 quires, at ordinary temperatures, a time varying from twelve to forty- 

 eight hours ; but, if the liquid be kept warm it may be effected in 

 three or four. This change of color appears to denote the commence- 

 ment of decomposition, or rather of destruction of the corpuscles ; for 

 already, under the microscope, they are seen to be altered in shape, 

 distended and globular, many of them burst and broken down, form- 

 ing a slight deposit of debris if allowed to subside. After this, a pro- 

 cess of decolorization commences ; the blood passes through shades 

 of chocolate to light brown, becoming turbid from the separation of 

 grayish brown flocculi. By further action of the ozone, the solution 

 becomes eventually quite colorless and transparent; the coagulum 

 diminishes, and becomes nearly, but never quite, white. Under the 

 microscope no trace of the corpuscles is to be found, only a few fine 

 granules. The slight remaining deposit is soluble in alkalies, and 

 re-precipitated by acids, and in all respects possesses the properties 



