162 OF THE BLOOD. 



of defibrinated blood (i. e. of serum + corpuscles) for absorbing oxygen and 

 carbonic acid, is much greater than that of serum alone, being at least twice as 

 much for equal volumes. Hence it seems certain, that the Red Corpuscles 

 must contain a large proportion of the gases of the blood ( 163). 



143. In addition to what has been already stated of the influence of water, 

 saline and other solutions, and acetic acid, upon the form and condition of the 

 Red Corpuscles, the following facts may be stated with regard to the effects of 

 these and other reagents. According to Miiller, 1 the envelops of the corpus- 

 cles which have been caused to burst by the action of water, remain unchanged 

 in the liquid for twenty-four hours or more; but, after remaining for some days 

 in contact with it, they are dissolved by it. The nuclei of the nucleated cor- 

 puscles, however, resist its solvent action; and these behave, when treated with 

 acids and alkalies, as fibrin or coagulated albumen would do. The action of 

 acetic acid upon the wall of the corpuscles is not that of solution, for the mem- 

 brane is still distinguishable as a delicate film around the nucleus, and may be 

 brought into more obvious view by tincture of iodine; but it seems to occasion 

 the discharge of the coloured contents of the vesicle, either by causing a con- 

 traction or collapse of its wall, or (more probably) by augmenting its permea- 

 bility. The action of the mineral acids upon the red corpuscles is quite differ- 

 ent; for these occasion a coagulation of the contents of the cells in their interior, 

 so that they are no longer distended by water ; and this without producing any 

 other change of shape than a slight corrugation. Chlorine and alcohol produce 

 a similar effect. On the other hand, the corpuscles are entirely dissolved by 

 the mineral alkalies and by ammonia; the cell-walls (and nuclei) disappearing 

 completely, and the cell-contents being diffused through the solution. Accord- 

 ing to Hunefeld and Simon, the walls of the corpuscles are dissolved, and their 

 contents set free, when they are treated either with bile or with ether ;. it is also 

 affirmed by Simon, that olive oil exerts a like solvent power; and Hunefeld 

 states that pure urea causes the rupture and partial solution of the cell-walls 

 and the dispersion of their contents. 2 (An admixture of urine with the blood 

 seems to exert no other influence upon the corpuscles than a saline solution of 

 equal density would do, as was long since ascertained by Hewson.) It is 

 affirmed by Lehmann, however, that the solution of the walls of the blood-cor- 

 puscles is rather apparent than real; for that in very few cases is it actually 

 dissolved, being generally transformed into a mucous or gelatinous condition, in 

 which it ceases to be distinguishable, in consequence of its co-efficient of refrac- 

 tion being the same with that of the plasma. And he founds this conclusion, 

 not merely upon the fact that the capsule is often made visible again, either in 

 its integral state or in fragments, by the addition of tincture of iodine or of 

 some saline solutions; but also upon the viscid and glutinous condition of the 

 blood, after the addition of dilute organic acids, alkaline carbonates, iodide of 

 potassium and other substances. For these reagents do not reduce either the 

 liquor sanguinis or the serum to a state in which it can be drawn out in threads, 

 and hence this must depend upon the presence of the corpuscles ; whilst, more- 

 over, on neutralizing with acids or with alkalies blood which has been thus 

 changed, or on adding to it a solution of iodine or sulphate of soda, the cell- 

 walls of the corpuscles again become visible, and the blood loses its viscidity. 

 It is further remarked by Prof. Lehmann, that some of the Red Corpuscles re- 

 sist the influence of reagents much more than others do; and he infers that the 

 latter are the older cells, as having the strongest tendency to disintegration ; 



1 "Manuel de Physiologic," 4ieme edit., traduit par Jourdain, torn. i. p. 92. 



2 See Simon's "Animal Chemistry," translated by Dr. Day, pp. 97-100, Am. Ed., and 

 Hunefeld "Der Chemismus in Thierischen Organisation." 



