chp:mistry. 17 



others which were made with horse-blood serum the solutions were treated with an 

 electric current, and the anode and kathode serum and that between the two electric 

 poles was studied. The electric current modified the liquid; horse serum from the 

 anode having a much more marked bactericidal action than untreated serum. In 

 one test the ultra value of untreated serum was 200,000, that of the anode serum 

 7,000,000, and that of kathode serum 80,000. Differences in the appearance of the 

 serum particles visible with the ultra apparatus an- described. 



The article contains a brief discussion of molecular energy, with special reference 

 to the kind of investigations reported. 



Ultramicroscopic studies of solutions of albumins and carbohydrates with 

 a new optical method for the estimation of albumin in albuminuria, E. Raehl- 

 maxx ( Munchen. Med. Wchnschr.,50 (1903), Xo.48, pp. 2089, 2090). —Using the method 

 described above, the author studied a number of solutions of proteids and carbohy- 

 drates. The method renders visible the proteids in solution even when the individual 

 particles are only 0.000005 mm. in size. These proteid particles appear like specks of 

 light and are in motion. The number of visible particles diminishes with dilution. 

 The application of the recorded data to the study of pathological urine is pointed out. 



The carbohydrates examined included dextrin, gum arabic, grape sugar, milk sugar, 

 and glycogen. The results obtained with all these bodies were similar to those with 

 proteids, i. e., extremely minute particles were rendered visible. In the case of the 

 different cartx (hydrates the appearance of the particles was similar, larger and smaller 

 particles being noted in every case, most of which polarized light. The particles were 

 in motion. The relation, if any, between the number, size, appearance, etc., of the 

 particles and their chemical constitution is a subject for further investigation. 



Diastase, when examined by the ultramicroscopic method, showed particles which 

 were similar to those of the other carbohydrates, yet presented some individual char- 

 acteristics. The glycogen particles were visible in a dilution of 1 to 3,000,000, and 

 were in size equal t< > al lout 0.00006 mm. , or 0. 1 of a wave length. They had a charac- 

 teristic gray-white color and differed little in size. "In moderately dilute solutions the 

 distances between the glycogen particles were about equal and the particles moved 

 with a vibratory motion. In a solution twice as dilute the distance between the par- 

 ticles was twice as irreat and the energy of the motion seemed correspondingly dimin- 

 ished. At the greatest dilution studied the motion was only minimum. When a 

 drop of diastase was added to the glycogen solution the particles changed instantly 

 in appearance, being replaced by a much smaller number of large and small particles. 



Ultramicroscopic investigations, Raehlmaxx (Berlin. Klin. Wchnsehr., 1904, 

 Feb. 22; abs. in British Med. Jour., 1904, No. 2275, Epit., p. 20).— Methods of experi- 

 menting with Siedentopf's microscope (E. S. R., 16, p. 15) are described. Accord- 

 ing to the author this instrument may be used for the study of living micro-organisms 

 as well as chemical bodies. It must lie remembered that the refraction of light 

 affects only those parts of the particle or micro-organism examined which fall 

 directly in the line of light, and only substances which have a different refraction 

 from the medium in which they are suspended can be seen. The author describes 

 various forms of putrefactive bacteria which he has been able to study by the 

 methods pointed out. He has also observed the effect of bactericidal and antiseptic 

 substances and of electric currents on micro-organisms. 



The distribution of nitrogen in the proteid molecule, T. GtJMBEL {Beitr. 

 Client. Physiol, v. Pathol., 5 (1904), p. 297; <ihs. in Zenthl. Physiol., IS (1904), No. 4. 

 jij>. 9o, 94). — A critical discussion based on analytical data. 



Concerning the nitrogenous compounds in ungerminated seeds, E. Schulze 

 and X. Castoro (Ztschr. Physiol. Chem.,41 (1904), No. 5, pp. 455-473). — Yellow and 

 white lupines, sunflower seed, wheat germ, and peanut germ were studied. Accord- 

 ing to the author, arginin, tyrosin, and asparagin are among the nitrogenous 

 compounds in unsprouted seeds which are concerned in the proteid cleavage in 



