THE FEEMENT OP MADDEE ON SUGAK. 127 



and carbonic acids.* Taking this for granted, the following 

 relations will be found to subsist between the products formed 

 in the alcoholic, butyric acid, and succinic acid fermentations 

 of sugar. In all these processes, 1 eq. of sugar splits up into 

 one or more organic bodies, and one or more inorganic ones. 

 The quantities of carbonic acid formed in the three processes 

 are to one another respectively as 2 : 2 : 1 , the quantities of 

 hydrogen as : 2 : 3. In the organic products formed in the 

 three processes (adding together the elements of the succinic 

 and acetic acids of the last process), the numbers of equiva- 

 lents of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, are to one another as 

 follows: — in the products of the alcoholic fermentation the 

 C : H as 2 : 3 ; in those of the butyric acid fermentation, as 

 2:2; in those of the succinic acid fermentation, as 5 : 4 ; 

 while the numbers of equivalents of oxygen and hydrogen 

 are to one another respectively as 1 : 3, 1 : 2, and 5:4. 

 Passing along the series from the products of the alcoholic to 

 those of the succinic acid fermentation, the n\imber of equiva- 

 lents of hydrogen in the organic substances is found to be 

 constantly on the decrease, as compared with that of the 

 equivalents of carbon and oxygen, while the amount of 

 hydrogen set at liberty increases in the same ratio. 



That time may form an important element in all processes 

 of fermentation, and that the degree of rapidity with which 

 such processes are completed may have a considerable influ- 

 ence on the nature of the products formed, has, I think, been 

 rendered evident by my experiments on the fermentation of 

 rubian. Indeed I would go further, and assert that the 

 difference in the effect produced by the same ferment, under 

 different circumstances, is a direct consequence of the greater 

 or less degree of rapidity in the change which its elements 

 may be undergoing, and of the consequent more or less rapid 

 motion communicated to the elements of other bodies. The 

 very simplest experiments in organic chemistry are suflBcient 



• Annalen der Pharmacic, LXX. 363. 



