I9IS1 



Edgar G. Miller, Jr. 



227 



adding given amounts of liver, spieen and thymus nucleic acid^^ to 

 pig liver hrei, and f ollowing the rate of autolysis by estimations of 

 total nitrogen on tannic acid filtrates. 



As the accompanying table shows, there was no apparent modi- 

 fication of rate of enzyme action, Doubtless the relation between 

 nuclear component and rate of autolysis concerns the activity of 

 Organs which are relatively richer in nuclei, such organs being in a 

 more active State, metabolically. 



Table showing relation between percentage of thymus nucleic acid and rate 



of autolysis in pig liver brei as measured in terms of c.c. of n/5 NH3 



for 25 c.c. aliquot portions of tannic acid filtrates 



174. Studies of some Compounds of cinchona alkaloids, 

 certain metals and phosphoric acid. Edwin D. Watkins. 

 {Univ. of Tenn., Memphis.) Published in this issue: Biochem. 

 Bull., 1915, iv, p. 94. 



B. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS FROM THE COLUMBIA BIOCHEM. DEP'T 



175. Biochemical studies of mercaptan. F. G. Goodridge. 

 Mercaptan, when given subcutaneously to either cold or warm 

 blooded animals, has marked anesthetic effects. The first result of 

 the administration is irritation, and then follow promptly abolished 

 reflexes and loss of consciousness. Respiration is at first increased 

 and then slowed. The heart is rapid and feeble and, in wann 

 blooded animals, the temperature is much reduced, and the color of 

 the blood is changed to a dark brown. If the elimination by means 

 of the breath is not prompt and thorough, the kidneys become im- 

 paired, and acute parenchymatous nephritis supervenes. This con- 

 dition causes death after an interval of from one to five days. 

 When death follows promptly after the administration, it is prob- 

 ably due to respiratory depression. 



28 Jones and others have shown that all animal nucleic acids are undoubtedly 

 identical, chemically. 



V 



