Science progress. 



No. 7. September, 1894. Vol. II. 



SNAKE POISON. 



THE most important class of chemical substances with 

 which the physiologist has to deal is that of the pro- 

 teids. Their importance arises from the fact that they form 

 the most essential of the constituents of a diet, and the most 

 constant and abundant of the materials obtainable from pro- 

 toplasm and living structures generally. In spite of this, 

 however, we know practically nothing of their chemical £% *b 

 constitution. The physical properties of the proteids, their 

 identification by chemical tests, their subdivision into classes 

 according to their solubilities, and the products of their 

 decomposition have all been pretty thoroughly studied ; 

 there also exist various theories of the way in which their 

 molecule is built up ; but there is nothing certain at present. 

 One of the greatest feats in chemical science will be the 

 synthesis of albumin ; but until this is done our knowledge 

 of that overwhelmingly important substance must remain 

 nebulous, and advance in physiological chemistry be 

 hindered. 



Not the least strange of the many puzzling facts in con- 

 nection with the proteids is that many of them are poi- 

 sonous. The poisonous proteids are not distinguishable 

 by any well-marked chemical or physical properties from 

 the non-poisonous or food proteids. When the idea of a 

 proteid poison was first mooted it was received with incre- 

 dulity ; and it was suggested that the real poison was some- 

 thing adherent to the proteid, and if the proteid had been 



