and Toxic Agents on the Amylolytic Action of Saliva. 63 
when present in one percentage and diminishing it when the percent- 
age is increased. On account of the insolubility of mercuric iodide 
and bromide, these salts were dissolved in water containing potassium 
iodide and sodium chloride respectively, in such proportion that the 
various digestive mixtures contained the same percentages of these 
salts as they did of the mercury salts.* Following are the results 
obtained : 
Mercury salt, Wt. Cuin 4. rauitaiie taatcs. convened 
0 0°1295 gram. 0°2636 gram. 28°72 per cent. 
HgBr, 
0°0005 per cent. 071150 0°2344 21°09 
0°0010 0-0770 0°1572 14°14 
0-0020 0°0340 0°0720 6°48 
Hel. 
070010 071257 0°2560 23°04 
0°0020 0°1180 0°2404 21°63 
Hg(CN)> 
0°0005 071375 0°2800 25°20 
0°0010 071445 0°2944 26°49 
0:0020 071242 0°2528 . 22°75 
0°0030 0°1252 0°2552 22°96 
0 0°1319 0°2684 24°15 
Hg(CN), 
0°0500 0°1025 0°2084 18°75 
In this series of results, it is to be noticed that mercuric bromide 
is the most energetic in its hindering action; 0°0005 per cent. being 
even more effective than 0°002 per cent. of the iodide. With the 
cyanide, however, the first two percentages stimulate or in some way 
give rise to an increased amylolytic action and even 0°050 per cent. 
of the salt does not retard the action of the ferment as much as 0°001 
per cent. of mercuric bromide. 
Cupric sulphate. 
With this salt the following results were obtained: 
CuS04+5H,20. Wt. Cu in 4. eanoree bodied cena: 
0 0°1712 gram. 0°3500 gram. 31°50 per cent. 
0:0005 per cent. 0°1445 02944 26°49 
0:0020 0°0530 0°1096 9°86 
00100 0'0250 00540 4°36 
0°0250 0 
* Apparently, the double salts so formed act as vigorously as the mercury salt 
alone could do. 
