1918] А 
BONNS—ETHERIZATION AND ENZYME ACTIVITY 277 
based upon the colorimetric determinations of 1 со. of the 
Nesslerized substrate, measured from an Ostwald precision 
pipette. The data are the averages of at least two, and in 
some cases three, such determinations. Two flasks were 
Nesslerized for each flask of substrate, and four colorimeter 
readings made from each Nesslerized solution, the ammonia 
nitrogen being then computed from the average reading. In 
the case of the acetamid substrate the Nesslerization of the 
series was repeated to insure a check on the results obtained 
in the first run. 
The results here point to a very definite and a surprisingly 
great effect of etherization upon the subsequent activity of 
amidase. The amount of ammonia nitrogen split from aceta- 
mid by the enzyme from the etherized tissues is more than 
twelve times that obtained from the corresponding control. 
The values for the autoclave dispersions are consistent and 
correspond closely with that of the control. In the half of 
the series in which the corms were allowed to air for 18 hours 
before extraction, there appears no increased action over the 
control. This tends toward the conclusion that in the time 
following etherization the period of stimulus resulting from 
the anaesthetic has been followed by a return to normal con- 
ditions, or that during such time the enzyme has completed 
its activity before extraction. 
The data for asparagin, on the other hand, show a practical 
absence of any enzyme action. The values are in all cases 
small, and a very accurate distinction between the several 
Nesslerized solutions was difficult because of the slight amount 
of color present. It appears clear, however, that there is a 
marked specificity of action on the part of the enzymes split- 
ting off ammonia. 
The analyses of the protein substrates in neutral and alka- 
line solution for the action of proteolytic enzymes follow. The 
figures were obtained by translating the volume of nitrogen 
gas evolved at the observed temperature and pressure into 
terms of amino-nitrogen in milligrams, using for this purpose 
the tables of Gattermann (710) and dividing the values there 
given by two. Two flasks were unfortunately lost during the 
