XIT.—INFivence or CrncnonipInr SunpHATE on METABOLISM. 
By R. H. Currrenpen anp Henry H. Wurrenovuse, Pu.B. 
Wu8ILE much attention has been paid to the physiological study of 
the cinchona alkaloids; quinine particularly having been experimented 
with by several observers, to ascertain its influence on the metabol- 
ism of the body ; we have not been able to find any recorded state- 
ments bearing on the action of the closely related alkaloid, cinchoni- 
dine. In physiological action, quinine is taken as a type of the 
group ; cinchonine is stated* to be similar to quinine but less power- 
ful, and that its history in the organism is parallel with that of qui- 
nine; cinchonidine is likewise stated to be weaker than quinine and 
in pugniolseacal action, apparently its equivalent when taken in doses 
one-third larger. Presumably, therefore, its action on the metabol- 
ism of the body is similar to that of quinine, although apparently no 
attempt has been made to determine this point. In view of the spe- 
cial action of quinine on nitrogenous metabolism, we have devoted 
our attention mainly to a study of the influence of cinchonidine on 
the excretion of urea, uric acid, phosphoric acid and chlorine. The 
experiments were conducted wholly on the person of one of us (H. 
H. W.) under uniform conditions of diet, exercise, etc. The diet, 
weighed out accurately each day, was composed of 
255 grams meat (beef). 
255 grams wheat bread. 
149 grams potatoes. 
50 grams oat meal. 
35 grams butter. 
21 grams sugar. 
570 grams milk. 
350 grams water. 
This diet, divided into three definite portions each day, was taken 
for some time previous to the experiments, so that the system might 
become accustomed to it and the metabolism of the body brought to 
a constant point. The body weight was determined each morning; 
the urine collected from nine a. m. of one day to nine a. m. of the 
next, making the 24 hours’ urine, the analysis being made the same 
* H. C. Wood, Therapeutics, p. 81. 
