12 ProfI H. Rose on the Inorganic Constitiients 



In the aqueous solution 54*148 grms. 



In the muriatic solution 5'085 



On the incineration of the carbonized mass 0*352 



From the carbonized faeces water extracted some chloride 

 of sodium and potassium, a considerable quantity of carbonate 

 and phosphate of potash, a less amount of sulphate of potash, 

 and a very large quantity of free potash. 



But the quantity of inorganic constituents dissolved by mu- 

 riatic acid was very large. It consisted of much phosphate of 

 lime and magnesia, phosphate of potash and soda, a very small 

 amount of sulphate, silicate of potash, and a very small quan- 

 tity of peroxide of iron. 



The exhausted carbonized mass on incineration yielded no 

 very inconsiderable quantities of fixed constituents, the prin- 

 cipal of which, however, was silica in the form of sand {san- 

 dartige Kieselsdicre). It moreover contained a tolerably large 

 amount of lime and magnesia, with a small quantity of phos- 

 phate of potash and soda, peroxide of iron and silica. 



The relative quantities in the different solutions and in the 

 remaining carbonized mass were as follows : — 



In the aqueous solution 1*933 grms. 



In the muriatic solution 6*493 ... 



On incineration of the carbonized mass 1*996 ... 



But on deducting from the latter amount that of the silica and 

 sand, we only obtain somewhat more than 1 grm., and hence 

 the solid excrements may be considered as belonging to the 

 teleoxidic substances. 



Whilst those inorganic oxidized constituents which are 

 soluble in water are separated by the urine, those which are 

 insoluble pass off as faeces. In proportion as digestion in the 

 body goes on in a normal state, and the less the excess of 

 nutritive substances introduced into it, the amount of im- 

 perfectly oxidized constituents of the faeces must be less, 

 and the quantity of teleoxidic substances larger. It is 

 therefore probable that, by the chemical investigation of the 

 faeces, a conclusion may be formed as to the proper or defective 

 manner in which digestion is carried on. The fact that the 

 inorganic constituents of the liquid and solid excrements, 

 especially the phosphates, exist in them in the oxidized state, 

 is the principal reason of their use as manure, which must 

 be more fit for this purpose in proportion to the amount of 

 teleoxidic substances of which it consists. 



As the inorganic substances from animal bodies are added 

 to plants in the form of manure, the process, in which they 

 are first deoxidized and then again oxidized, recommences. 



