468 SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



Manasse's research appears to have been undertaken 

 without any special reference to the question of the physio- 

 logical action of the suprarenal capsules, or of the work of 

 Schafer and his colleagues. But it is by no means unin- 

 teresting to inquire whether his investigation does not 

 after all give the key to the problem. Here is a substance, 

 of a reducing nature, resembling jecorin it is true in some 

 points, but practically unique, and confined to the medulla 

 of the suprarenal capsules. It is soluble in alcohol, and 

 Moore's substance is not ; but the addition of a little water 

 to the alcohol renders Moore's substance soluble. It is 

 possible to explain this difference therefore by variations 

 in the strength of the alcohol used. Another distinction 

 between Manasse's and Moore's substance is that the former 

 reduces Fehling's solution after prolonged treatment with 

 sulphuric acid, whereas the latter does not. Perhaps this 

 difference may be explained by different interpretations of 

 the word prolonged. At any rate the matter appears 

 promising, and all will watch with interest further develop- 

 ments of this remarkable series of investigations. 



W. D. Halliburton. 



