M. Liebig on the Identity of Albumen, &. 175 
On the Identity of Albumen, Fibrin, and the White Matter of 
the Globules of Blood and of Caseum. Letter of M. Lizzic. 
Communicated to the Academy of Sciences by M. Liov- 
VILLE.* 
I nave at last the satisfaction, says M. Lizzie to M. Prosper Denis, to 
inform you that the whole of your experiments regarding the identity of 
the composition of fibrin and albumen have been found to be quite cor- 
rect. We have succeeded in entirely dissolving pure fibrin in a saturated 
solution of nitre, and in maintaining them together at a temperature of 
between 122° and 133° Fahr. The fibrin at first became gelatiniform, 
leaving only a few insoluble flakes. The filtrated liquid possesses all the 
properties of albumen. I repeat, that we have succeeded without. the 
employment of caustic alkali, which at first appeared to me to be indis- 
pensable and decisive. We have also remarked that boiled fibrin is in- 
dissoluble. The composition of dissolved fibrin, that is, fibrin changed 
into liquid albumen, was exactly that of common fibrin and albumen. 
And the formulary, carbon 48, hydrogen 74, nitrogen 14, oxygen 11, 
expresses the relative proportions of its elements. We have likewise 
succeeded in precipitating albumen under the form of globules, by add- 
ing a sufficient quantity of water to serum neutralized by an acid, and 
we have not been less fortunate in obtaining fibrins from the globules of 
blood, by following the procedure which you pointed out. By adding 
a little caustic potash to albumen, it was precipitated by means of alco- 
hol, under the form and with all the properties of caseum. Thus, Sir, I 
rejoice that I have in any way assisted in placing your important disco- 
veries beyond doubt. I am now busy with a memoir, in which I explain 
the analyses which have been made in the prosecution of my object. 
Composition of Fibrin, made soluble according to M. Prosper Denis’s method, 
and precipitated by cold alcohol from its nitrous solution, and afterwards 
treated with boiling alcohol and ether. 
Ist Analysis. 2d Analysis. 3d Analysis. 
Carbon, 54.508 55.002 54,511 
Hydrogen, 6.874 7.280 6974) tp pombustible mater, 
Nitrogen, 18.032 18.197 18.037 < Carb. to Nitr. 27:1 
Oxygen, 20.586 19.521 20.478 7 ses ie iN ai 
Fibrin of Blood, subjected to the direct action of water, cold alcohol, boiling 
alcohol and ether, without previous solution. 
Carbon, .. . 654.988 | 
Hydrogen, . . 6.876 
Nitrogen, . . . 18.190 
Oxygen, .. 19.946 
0 NESE Ba E PEELE SO USSR ED (SESE 8 SESS 270 e021 SES PLT PPOESE RTO TD Oe 
* Comptes Rendus, 22d March 1841. 
Carb. : Nitr.: :: 7:1. 
