H. E. Woodman and J. Hamjmond 



101 



and was, moreover, completely dissolved by the addition of excess of 

 acetic acid. Mucin remains undissolved under these conditions. The per- 

 fectly flocculent character of the precipitate obtained on adding alcohol 

 to the fluid and stirring precluded the possibility of the presence of 

 pseudo-mucins in the fluid. No other glucoproteins were found in the 

 fluid, since on hydrolysing the total protein with hydrochloric acid, no 

 reducing sugars were formed. 



The main constituents of the fluid were, therefore, caseinogen, 

 globulin and albumin, with traces of fat, lactose and simpiler nitrogenous 

 substances (proteoses). In view of the obvious importance of the fluid 

 in its relationship to the ultimate colostrum and milk secretions, it was 

 advisable, as fat as was possible, to conduct a quantitative enquiry. 

 Unfortunately, no one sample obtained was large enough to permit of 

 a complete analysis being carried out on it. The following figures were, 

 however, obtained and give some idea of the quantitative composition 

 of the fluid. The data for milk and a sample of colostrum containing 

 roughly the same amount of protein are appended for comparison. 



' Crowther and Raistrick, Bloch. J., 10, 435. 1916. The sample represented the fourth 

 milking after parturition. - Fleischmann. 



' The globulin was separated from the liquid, remaining after removal of caseinogen 

 with acetic acid, by neutraUsing with N/10 NaOH and saturating with magnesium sulphate. 

 After filtering, tlie precipitate was well waslicd witli saturated magnesium sulphate 

 solution and its amount estimated by tlie Kjcldalil method. The albumin was isolated 

 from the filtrate by acidifying with acetic acid and standing in boiUng water for a short 

 time. " Fleischmann. 



^ Eugling. Sample taken 48 hours from parturition and contained about 6 % protein. 



" The ash gave the reactions for phosphate .and calcium. 



' Paper Coil method. 



