( 429 ) 
has an acid reaction. That acid reaction can be coexistent with 
exquisite emulsions, has been proved by J. Murk, who obtained 
emulsions by mixing pure fatty acid with a little Na, CO,-solution. 
Another question is however whether the emulsion is already 
found so finely divided in the intestinal lumen as later on in the 
chyle-vessels. This now is certainly not the case. Even in the 
epithelium-cells and in the adenoid tissue of the villi relatively 
large globules of fat are found, and it is only in the chyle that 
it appears in its peculiar dust-shape. 
It can scarcely be doubted that in the lymph of the villi a 
cause must exist which brings about the transition of fat to the 
form of dust. 
In order to test this supposition it would be well to gather 
chyle, undo it by means of a CHAMBERLAND’s candle of particles 
of fat and afterwards shake the clear liquid with fat. It is however 
scarcely possible to obtain the necessary quantities of chyle for the 
purpose. 
I happened to learn that in the Hospital of the Utrecht University 
a patient was treated, whose abdomen contained a large quantity 
of ascites-liquid, which had the appearance of chyle. Professor TaLMa 
kindly put it at my disposal. 
Upon close microscopical investigation however the liquid showed 
not a single particle of fat and it soon appeared that the observed 
opalescence proceeded from a mucoid substance which was first 
described by HAMMARSTEN !) and the existence of which was later 
on confirmed by different medical men”). 
As regards its composition, the liquid contained 1.939 pCt. solids, 
consequently less than normal lymph; in which, as is well known, 
circa 4 pCt. solids are present. It contained 1.715 pCt. albumen, 
0.0808 pCt fat, and 0.0564 pCt. soap. 
The extraordinary insignificant quantity of fat proved that this 
was not a case of real chylous ascites, as one could have believed 
at first sight. 
1) O, HamMarsren. Ueber das Vorkommen van Mucoidsubstanzen in Ascitesfliissig- 
keiten, Autoreferat in Maly’s Jahresber. f. Thierchemie, über das Jahr 1890. S, 417, 
PS. und A, L. Payxun. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Chemie der serösen Exsu- 
date. Ref. Jahresber. f. Thierchemie, über das Jahr 1892. S, 558, 
G. Lion. Communication d'un cas d’ascite laiteuse ou chyleuse. Arch, de méd. 
expériment. 1894, p. 826, 
Crcoxt, Ueber einen Fall milchig getrübten nicht fetthaltigen Ascites. Ltaliaansch 
in Riforma mediche, 1897, no 51. Ref. Maly’s Jahresber, f. Thierchemie, über das 
Jahr 1897. S, 190. 
