524 Causes of the Clotting of Blood [April-July 



ence will be a ctimulative force in perpetuity, for bis pupils and their 

 pupils, in endless generations, will carry bis spirit and bis zeal into 

 all their work. 



We are deeply indebted to Dr. Meltzer, Professor Kronecker's 

 distinguisbed pupil and friend, for tbe appreciative biographical 

 note regarding Professor Kronecker, which was prepared at our 

 request and with which we are privileged to open this double number 

 of the Bulletin. 



From the beginning of its career, three years ago, each number 

 of the BiocHEMiCAL Bulletin has been unavoidably issued about 

 a quarter after the indicated month of publication. Thus, the last 

 Delay in the issue number (January) appeared in April. We be- 

 of the gan three months late and have consistently re- 



Biochemical Bulletin mained so. Our earnest eff ort to "catch up with 

 the schedule," by issuing the April and July numbers together, in 

 July, was defeated by an exceptional succession of unexpected inci- 

 dents that enforced one exasperating delay after another. We in- 

 tend, however, to take advantage of this series of mishaps by omit- 

 ting the October number and beginning Vol IV with the January 

 issue. Hereafter each volume will coincide, in periodicity, with the 

 calendar years instead of the academic years. As we go to press 

 (late in October), the material for the first number of the new vol- 

 ume is well in band; and we are confident we shall be able to dis- 

 tribute the January number before the first of February, and there- 

 after be " on time" with each successive issue. This comment is 

 ofifered in apology to our subscribers, and in explanation of a Situa- 

 tion which has not only annoyed but embarrassed us greatly. 



In circulating blood or lymph a small amount of Prothrombin is 

 contained in Solution in the plasma. This Prothrombin is prevented 

 from reacting with the calcium to form thrombin by the presence 

 Causes of the clotting of an adequate amount of antithrombin, or, if 

 of blood any thrombin is formed, its coagulating effect 



on fibrinogen is prevented by the antithrombin. The normal fluid- 

 ity of the circulating blood is dependent, therefore, upon the pres- 

 ence and action of the antithrombin. In blood-platelets and in 



