1 8 On the Non-existence of Sngar in the Blood. 



likcwibe to defend the speculation that it contains hy- 

 drogen. 



Like oxvgen, it has not yet been decomposed; and I 

 some time ago made an experiment, which, like most of the 

 others I have brought forward, is very adverse to the idea 

 of its containing oxygen. 



I passed the solid oxymuriate of phosphorus in vapour, 

 and oxygen gas together through a green glass lube heated 

 to redness. 



A decomposition took place, and phosphoric acid was 

 formed, and oxyniuriatic gas was expelled. 



Now, if oxygen existed in the oxymuriate of phosphorus, 

 there is no reason why this change should take place. On 

 the idea of oxvmuriatic gas being undecompounded, it is 

 easily explained. Oxygen is known to have a stronger at- 

 traction for phosphorus than oxymuriatic gas has, and con- 

 sequently ought to expel it from this combination. 



As the new compound in its purest form is possessed of 

 a bright ycUow green colour, it may be expedient to de- 

 signate it by a name expressive of this circumstance, and 

 its relation to oxymuriatic gas. As 1 have n^med that 

 elastic fluid Chlorine, so I venture to propose for this sub- 

 stance the name Euchlorine, or Euchloric gas, from su and 

 "/Xks-jc. The point of Nomenclature I am not, however, 

 inclined to dwell upon. I shall be content to adopt any 

 name that may be considered as most appropriate by the 

 able chemical philosophers attached to this Society. 



r*,* In paj^e -lis, line il2, of the Bakerian lecture, for " water separated 

 4nd Libavius's liquor was forme*".," rend "a compound of water and Liba- 

 vius's liquor separated." In page 414, it is stated tliat magnesia is not de- 

 compost'd l)y oxymuriatic gas at a red Iieat. From some experiments of 

 MM. ii-^j i.ussac and Tlicuard, Jhillel. de la SnaH. Phil. Mai, 1810, it ap- 

 nears that oxvgen is procured hv passinjf oxymuriatic gas over magnesia, at 

 a liigh temperature, and that a muriate indecomposable by heat is proved. 

 'I'liGY attribute tlic presence ot this oxygen to the decomposition of the acid; 

 But "accciding to all .inaloglcs, it must arise from the decomposition of the 

 earth. J 



III. On the Non-existence of Sugar in the Blood of Persons 

 luiouring under Dlnhtes Mellitus, In a Lf^Lter to Al- 

 exander Marcet, M.D. F.R.S. from William Hyde 

 WoLLA.STON, M.D. Sec. iJ.S.* 



Al¥ DEAR SiH, XN reply to your inquiry respecting my 

 experiments upon the non-existence, of sugar in the serum 



^ From the Philosophical Transactiuiis for 1811, Part 1. 



of 



