Dr. R. D. Thomson on Pegmine and Pyropine. 371 



pleuritis. It is obvious from the analysis that it contained a 

 considerable amount of fatty matter. 



100-00 



II. Pure Pegmine. 

 Another specimen procured from a different patient, also 

 affected with an attack of inflammation of the membrane of the 

 lungs, was treated with cold water, alcohol, and aether to re- 

 move all the fatty and oily matters mixed with it ; when burned 

 with chromate of lead, the following result was obtained : — 



Approximate true 

 II. composition. 



52-07 



7*14 7-14 



14-40 14-20 



26-79 



100-00 100-00 



It is possible that the nitrogen is somewhat undervalued. 



In the first analysis, the pegmine was dried at 212°, in the 

 second at 300°. The same substance is met with in the infe- 

 rior animals, especially in the horse, although not, it is be- 

 lieved, in the healthy state of that animal, as has been as- 

 serted, but in a similar condition of the animal to that in 

 which it appears in the human subject — inflammation. 



Pyropine. 



The only body which bears any resemblance in composi- 

 tion to the so-called proteine, is a beautiful substance which is 

 found occasionally in the tusk of the elephant, occupying the 

 hollow portion of the interior of that part of the animal. It 

 possesses a fine ruby tint, and is sometimes tough, but when 

 of the finest colour is brittle. Sections of it exhibit occasional 

 traces of the remains of organization. It is insoluble in water, 

 and thus differs from glue or gelatine, to which it has some 

 affinities in its physical aspect. The writer has not been able 

 to satisfy himself that it contains no sulphur, in consequence 

 of its difficult solubility in caustic potash. The composition 

 of pyropine by two analyses is as follows : — 



