and Toxie Agents on the Amylolytic Action of Saliva. 81 
{ yoouy ) 
Glancing at the differences in these two series of experiments, we 
see that they accord with what was observed in the case of mercuric 
chloride, viz: that a given percentage of the metallic salt will pro- 
duce a constant result only under definite conditions; increasing the 
proportion of albuminous matter diminishes, as in the case of the 
mercury salt, although not so greatly, the retarding action of the salt. 
Evidently, the metallic salts do not act upon the ferment by their 
mere presence, for if such were the case the mere combination of the 
salt with the albumin present, would not so materially affect the 
result. If, on the other hand, they do act by combining with the 
ferment, forming it may be an insoluble compound or one incapable 
of ferment action, it is fair to presume that the combination would 
take place immediately upon mixing the two or very soon thereafter, 
and thus we should expect that the length of time the two stood in 
contact after the first few minutes, would have no effect on the amyl- 
olytic power of the mixture, while a gradual destructive action would 
be manifested by a gradual decrease of amylolytic power. With a 
view to testing this point we have tried the following experiment. 
Three mixtures were prepared as follows: 
A. B. G 
Sallivaerarae earns Ne cee. yon: 2, G28 YOKE 
TEU (Octet se eet de eee 8 7 8 
Hig WlS sols SISce St Suse 0 1 2 
10 10 10 
Bercent HeCly esse cece 0 0°005 07010 
These were placed in a bath and warmed at 40° C. for 18 hours, 
after which 1 ¢.c. of the same mercuric chloride solution was added 
to A and then starch and water added to all three, making the 
volume in each case up to 100 ¢.c. The mixtures were then warmed 
at 40° C. for thirty minutes to test the activity of the ferment; A 
containing now 0°0005 per cent. mercuric chloride, 6 the same per- 
centage and C’ 0-001 per cent.. In A, 19°8 per cent. of the starch 
was converted into reducing bodies, while in 6 and C there was no 
amylolytic action whatever. Thus by the previous action, for this 
length of time, of 0:005 per cent. mercuric chloride, the ferment was 
rendered incapable, on subsequent dilution, of exerting any diastatic 
action whatever. 
Again, in a similar manner it was found that by warming the , 
saliva for thirty minutes at 40° C. with 0°005 per cent. mercuric 
chloride and then adding starch paste and diluting to 100 ¢. ¢. so 
TRANS. Conn. AcApD., Vou. VII. 11 Oot., 1885, 
