482 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



expel liytlrochloric acid from chlorides. No one would, probably^ 

 be now found (o urge strenuously the view entertained by Prout^ 

 but, if there be, or if there might be, by any possibility, hydro- 

 chloric acid present in the gastric juice, it would not more cer- 

 tainly dissolve hydrobe of alumina than either acid phosphate of 

 lime or lactic acid. All the lactates are well known to the solu- 

 ble, and, of course, alumina would be taken up by lactic acid. 

 The acid phosphate of lime would dissolve hydrobe of alumina, 

 until the lime and alumina together gave the proportions of a 

 neutral phosphate. To ascertain whether the alumina from these 

 solutions acted like the solution o'f common alum, or of the solu- 

 tion of alumina in hydrochloric, Prof. H. made these experi- 

 ments: He added hydrate of alumina, with agitation to a moderately 

 diluted solution of acid phosphate of lime, until it began to be 

 turbid. He then filtered the liquor, added more water, and poured 

 a few drops into a solution of white of egg. In a short lime it 

 beo;an to whiten and coagulate, and after a few hours was thor- 

 oughly gelatinized. He made a saturated solution of lactate of 

 alumina, diluted it moderately with water, and added a few drops 

 to solution of white of egg. 



The hydroclorate of alumina similarly treated was added to so- 

 lution of white of egg. The same changes took place with both ' 

 the latter that had taken place with the former. A stiif coagulum 

 was formed in all three vessels, and all might be reversed with 

 spilling. 



Neither the diluted acid phosphate of lime, nor the diluted lac- 

 tic acid produced any eiFect of coagulation on the solution of white 

 of egg employed. 



The experiments show what must be the effect of soluble alumina 

 on reacting the blood through the lact^als. It there finds a colli- 

 sion of bodies allied to white of egg. Albumenoid substances, on 

 their way to various parts of the organism, and in process of trans- 

 formation to become suited to special composition. 



In order to change these transformations forces are brought 

 into play into certain constant, normal, chemical and physical 

 conditions. Compounds are elaborated of higher and more com- 

 plete constitution, as for example, the muscular and cerebral sys- 

 tem. This elaboration requires freedom of motion among the 

 particles. AVhatever obstructs or restrains this, interferes with 

 and degrades assimilation. 



Now the properties of alumina are well known. It is the great 



