I9I3] Alfred P. Lothrop 293 



subject of diminished oxidation in its relation to uric acid excretion, 

 we &tudied cases of poisoning by illuminating gas (people) and by 

 potassium Cyanide (dogs). The results show that retardations of 

 the oxidizing processes, either by deprivation of oxygen (gas) or 

 by interference with cellular functions ( Cyanide), were not followed 

 by increased excretion of uric acid. It appears improbable, there- 

 fiore, that uric acid destruction in the body is a simple oxidizing 

 process. 



59. A demonstration of some of the tinctorial properties of 

 pigments produced from thymol by ammonium hydroxid. 

 William J. Gies. The phenomena described in a previous com- 

 munication on this subject^^ were demonstrated, as an introduction 

 to the succeeding communication by Mr. Horowitz. Ammonium 

 hydroxid produces from thymol a blue^ pigment (or mixture of 

 pigments?). Ether extracts the blue material from the alkalin 

 liquid, but in ether Solution the pigment is red. After evaporation 

 of the ether from such an extraot, a purplish oily product remains. 

 This residue yields a purplish Solution in alcohol, which becomes 

 hliie when it is rendered slightly alkalin. Filter paper, soaked in 

 such a blue, alkalin, alcoholic Solution, and then dried at room tem- 

 perature, assumes a bright red color as the alcohol disappears. 

 Treated with alcohol, such red filter paper, particularly if slightly 

 moist, becomes bright green. Interesting probabilities suggested by 

 these results, and the possible relationship of these color phenomena 

 to the pigments in the Monardas^^ and other plants, will be in- 

 vestigated. 



60. Experiments on pigments produced from thymol by the 

 action of ammonia. Benjamin Horowitz. Professor Gies has 

 found that thymol, in contact with ammonia, develops a blue color.^^ 

 Under his direotion I have been making a study of this phe- 

 nomenon. 



The question early arose as to whether ammonia and thymol 

 alone are sufficient for the formation of the pigment. Certain ob- 



"Gies: Biochemical Bulletin, 1912, ii, p. 171. 



"Wakeman: Bulletin of the University of Wisconsin, No. 448; Science 

 series, 191 1, iv, p. 81. 



"Gies: Biochemical Bulletin, 1912, ii, p. 171, See also the preceding 

 abstract, above. 



