REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE xxix 



and this fact has been made the basis of a theory which seeks to 

 explain the importance of these glands, which alone secrete it. 



It is evident that but little scientific or practical progress could 

 be made until this active principle should be separated from the in- 

 numerable other constituents of the gland. This isolation was first 

 effected by Dr. Abel in 1897, and he named the product obtained by 

 him Epinephrin. 



Investigators are making every effort to elucidate the chemical 

 constitution of this compound, not only with a view to tracing its 

 origin and its fate in the animal body, but also looking to its possi- 

 ble preparation by synthetic methods — that is, by chemical art, with- 

 out the intervention of the animal organism. 



Progress of the most promising character has recently been made 

 in Dr. Abel's laboratory. The work is being actively prosecuted and 

 will be continued throughout the present winter. 



Since receiving a grant from the Carnegie Institution, Dr. Abel 

 has published three papers on the subject, and a fourth communica- 

 tion bearing on the true composition of epinephrin and epinephrin 

 hydrate and their chemical constitution will shortly make its 

 appearance. 



W. D. Bancroft, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. Grant No. 6. 

 For a systematic chemical study of alloys, beginning with the bronzes 

 and brasses. $500. 



Abstract of Report. — The experimental work under this grant has 

 been done by Mr. E. S. Shepherd, under the direction of Professor 

 Bancroft. They have analyzed the different solid bases and deter- 

 mined the copper-tin-lead diagram except for the alloys containing 

 less than 20 per cent of copper. They have determined the densities 

 and electro-motive forces of the annealed bronze, and made a care- 

 ful microscopic study of the same alloys. Work is now under way 

 on the density and determination of bronzes cast in vacuo, the 

 copper-tin-lead diagram, and the making of the necessary analyses. 

 A study of the physical properties of bronzes will be carried on 

 during the winter. 



Ill 



