On the Froteln Question. 160 



When this compound, which is a bichlorito of protein, is dried at 

 212° F., it contains only 12-17 per cent, of chlorous acid. 



The same body may be obtained from the solution of fibrin, from 

 which protein has been precipitated, but this contains only 0'6 per 

 cent, of hyposiilphurous acid. 



If through the solution of albumen, from which protein has been 

 separated, a current of chlorine is passed, a combination is always 

 obtained of C'^'^ H'^*^ N* O^*^ with chlorous and hyposulphurous acids, 

 but in variable proportions. That of the latter acid varies, which 

 apparently indicates that the sulphur is not inseparable from C**" 

 11-^ N^ 0^^, and is no essential ingredient of protein. But the quan- 

 tity of chlorous acid also varies, and the cause of this is, that, if the 

 current of chlorine is continued for a sufficient length of time, we 

 obtain mixtures of protein with one or two equivalents of chlorous 

 acid. 



I here give you the result of the analysis of these bodies, and this 

 I do for two reasons : 



\st, Because these very mixtures afford a proof that the combina- 

 tion contains chlorous acid, and not chlorine. 



2dy Because they shew, that the sulphur they contain, is an acci- 

 dental and not an essential ingredient. 



Here the proportion of sulphur is from 0-8 to 1*0 per cent.^ being, 

 in the first instance, lessened to half the quantity contained in albumen. 



Any one who can explain these results in another way, will do a 

 service to science by making it known. I consider these bodies as 



