OPERATION OF CHEMICAL FORCES IN THE LIVING BODY. 115 



The three preceding formulae represent such metamorphoses as may occur in the genesis 

 of tissues ; the following represent some, of those which may take place in their disinte- 

 gration, in which (it must be remembered) oxygen drawn from the air performs an im- 

 portant part. 



1 equiv. of Albumen with 10 equivs. of Water and 56 equivs. of Oxygen contains the 

 elements of 1 equiv. of Choleic (tauro-cholic) acid, 2 equivs. of Cholic (glyco-cholic) acid, 

 12 equivs. of Urea, and 36 equivs. of Carbonic acid. 



C. H. N. 0. S. C. H. N. 0. S. 



52 45 1 14 2 = 1 Choleic acid. 



1 Albumen = 216 169 27 68 

 10 Water = 10 10 



56 Oxygen = 56 



216 179 27 134 2 J 



104 86 2 24 =2 Cholic acid. 

 24 48 24 24 = 12 Urea. 

 36 72 = 36 Carbonic acid. 



216 179 27 134 2 



1 equiv. of Glutin with 10 equivs. of Oxygen contains the elements of 1 equiv. of Cholic 

 (glyco-cholic) acid, 3 equivs. of Uric acid, and 12 equivs. of Water. 



C. H. N. 0. C. H. N. 0. 



i m * QO ? IQ QO 1 f52 43 1 12 = 1 Cholic acid. 



IGlutm =82 67 13 32 3Q 12 12 18 ^ 8 Uric acid. 



10 Oxygen = 10 I I 12 = 12 Water. 



82 67 13 42 J [82 67 13 42 



1 equiv. of Chondrin contains the elements of one Cholic (glyco-cholic) acid, 2 Uric 

 acid, and 8 Water. 



C. H. N. 0. C. H. N. 0. 



52 43 1 12 = 1 Cholic acid. 



1 Chondrin = 72 59 9 32 \ = \ 20 8 8 12 = 2 Uric acid. 



8 8 = 8 Water. 



72 59 9 32 



Now although it must be admitted that, by a dexterous management of formulae, almost 

 any kind of transformation may be effected on paper, yet the above coincidences are so re- 

 markable in themselves, and are so closely accordant with phenomena of whose occur- 

 rence we have independent evidence, that it seems hardly just to regard them as merely 

 fortuitous. 



Vii. The Inorganic acids, bases, and saline compounds, which properly rank 

 as constituents of the body, are for the most part applied to its construction in 

 the forms in which they were introduced from the food; and they reappear 

 under the same forms in the excretions. But new compounds are also pro- 

 duced during the progress of the metamorphic changes already referred to. 

 Thus, a portion of the sulphur taken in as a constituent of albuminous food, 

 seems to be oxidized in the final disintegration of the tissues by which that 

 albumen was appropriated, and is converted into sulphuric acid ; a part, how- 

 ever, still remaining unoxidized, and passing off in that state, both by the bile 

 and the urine. So, again, if phosphorus (as such) be a constituent of the pro- 

 tein-compounds, or be united with fatty matters, it must undergo a similar oxi- 

 dation within the system; as it scarcely ever presents itself in the excretions 

 under any other form than that of phosphoric acid. On the other hand, by 

 the oxidation of various organic acids largely contained in vegetable food, their 

 alkaline bases are reduced to the state of carbonates, so as to be ready to com- 

 bine with any of the stronger acids that may be present in the system; and 

 ammonia seems also to be generated d& novo. Thus a supply of bases is pre- 

 pared, ready to neutralize not merely the acids whose mode of production has 

 just been described, but also the uric, hippuric, and lactic acids which are gene- 

 rated within the body, and which do not readily pass off from it except in com- 

 bination with bases; and according as the proportion of these bases is equivalent 

 to that of the acids ; exceeds it, or is exceeded by it, will the urine be neutral, 



