Beard, On the Occurrence of Dextro-rotatory Albumins in Organic Nature. J f)7 



methods as containing per cubic centimetre 1250 tryptic units, while 

 the amylopsin-injection, which like the trypsin-injection is of maximum 

 potency, possesses per cubic centimetre 500 units of amylolytic 

 activity. The procedure was to mix the contents of an ampoule 

 of each of the ferments, trypsin and amylopsin, and then to dilute 

 the fluid with clean fresh rain-water, until the bulk of liquid equalled 

 ten cubic centimetres. This stockfluid, freshly prepared for each 

 occasion, was further diluted as described under the account of 

 the experiments. These latter were made in watch-glasses, containing 

 the organisms and a given number of drops of clean fresh rain- 

 water, to which at a given time a certain amount of the diluted 

 ferments was added. On all occasions the temperature of the room 

 was noted. The changes are quite easily observed under the 

 microscope, and except with such forms as Amoeba no higher power 

 than a Zeiss A A is needed. In instances like Amoeba it is more 

 convenient to use a slide with a deep cell in it and to cover the 

 preparation. Here also higher powers of the microscope are called 

 for. The ampoules used contain somewhat more than one cubic 

 centimetre, and in instances measured accurately the contents of 

 the two ampoules before dilution totalled 2 ! / 2 cubic centimetres. 

 It should be added, that these preparations are stated to be put up 

 in a menstruum of 60/ glycerin, and that they contain no anti- 

 septic. No statement is made in the present writing, that 

 any other pancreatic preparations upon the mar ket used 

 in the like dilutions will give the same results. The 

 finds are recorded for certain specified pancreatic 

 preparations, and for these only, and used as described 

 here. The necessity of this warning may be judged from the 

 fact, that even in the present year 1912 ampoules of injection, 

 labelled "trypsin", have been offered for sale in Great Britain, and 

 on assay it was found, that all the "trypsin" connected with them 

 in any way was contained in the label. 



Experiments. 



I. Hydra fiisca. Temperature of room 19 C. Two individuals 

 of the common fresh water "polype", Hydra fusca, in nine drops 

 of clean fresh rain-water. 11. 8 a. m. Added one drop of the 10 c. c. 

 dilution of T. & A., and allowed this to diffuse through the water. 

 Contraction of the animals in one minute or less. 11. 14 Slight 

 expansion, then contraction, tentacles knobbed. 11.15 One animal 

 contracted, the other somewhat expanded, but anterior part of body 

 strongly contracted. 11. 18 Both much contracted. 11. 19 In one 

 a tentacle in disintegration. 11. 2() Bodies pilose, as though stinging- 

 cells had shot out. 11. 31 Both much digested and tentacles 

 becoming indistinguishable. 11.45 Greatly disintegrated, and cell- 



