240 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 



(a) Phosphorus. Test for phosphorus by fusion (see page 128). 



(b) Solubility. Try the solubility in the ordinary solvents. 



(c) Protein Color Test. Try any of the protein color tests. 



What proof have you that the above body was not mucin? What other test 

 can you use to differentiate between nucleoprotein and mucin? 



12. Albumin and Globulin. Extract the fresh feces with a dilute solution of 

 sodium chloride. (The preliminary extract from the preparation of casein (10), 

 above, may be utilized here.) Filter, and saturate a portion of the nitrate with 

 sodium chloride in substance. A precipitate signifies globulin. Filter off the pre- 

 cipitate and acidify the nitrate slightly with dilute acetic acid. A precipitate at 

 this point signifies albumin. Make a protein color test on each of these bodies. 



13. Proteose and Peptone. Heat to boiling the portion of the sodium chloride 

 extract not used in the last experiment. Filter off the coagulum, if any forms. 

 Acidify the filtrate slightly with acetic acid and saturate with sodium chloride in 

 substance. A precipitate here indicates proteose. Filter it off and test it according 

 to directions given on page 119. Test the filtrate for peptone by the biuret test. 



14. Inorganic Constituents. Incinerate a small amount of feces in a crucible 

 and dissolve the ash in a small volume of dilute nitric acid. Dilute with water and 

 filter. Make the following tests upon the clear filtrate. 



(a) Chlorides. Acidify with nitric acid and add silver nitrate. 



(b) Phosphates. Acidify with nitric acid, add molybdic solution, and warm 

 gently. 



(c) Sulphates. Acidify with hydrochloric acid, add barium chloride, and warm. 



(d) Calcium. Neutralize with ammonium hydroxide, make slightly acid with 

 acetic acid and add ammonium oxalate. Let stand. 



(e) Magnesium. Neutralize with ammonium hydroxide, and add Na 2 HPO4 

 and excess of NH40H. Let stand. 



15. Indole Reactions. Rub up the stool with water to form a thin paste 

 and distill first in alkaline and then in acid solution. Test the distillate by any 

 of the tests for the detection of indole hi putrefaction mixtures (see page 221 ). 



1 6. Schmidt' s Nuclei Test. This test serves as an aid to the diag- 

 nosis of pancreatic insufficiency. The test is founded upon the theory 

 that cell nuclei are digestible only in pancreatic juice, and therefore 

 that the appearance in the feces of such nuclei indicates insufficiency of 

 pancreatic secretion. 



The procedure is as follows : Cubes of fresh beef about 0.5 cm. square are 

 enclosed in small gauze bags and ingested with a test meal. Subsequently the 

 fecal mass resulting from this test meal is examined, the bag opened, and 

 the condition of the enclosed residue determined. Under normal conditions the 

 nuclei would be digested. Therefore if the nuclei are found to be for the most 

 part undigested, and the intervening period has been sufficient to permit of the 

 full activity of the pancreatic function (at least six hours), it may be considered a 

 sign of pancreatic insufficiency (see Fig. 75, p. 234). 



It has been claimed by Steele that under certain conditions the non- 

 digestion of the nuclei may indicate a general lowering of the digestive 

 power rather than a true pancreatic insufficiency. 



