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IX. "Contributions to the Physiology of the Liver. The 

 Influence of an Acid in producing Saccharine Urine." By 

 F. W. PAVY, M.D. Communicated by Dr. SHARPEY. Re- 

 ceived June 13, 1861. 



In 1854 I conducted an experiment to determine the effect of de- 

 priving the blood of its natural alkalinity. I then wished to see if I 

 could influence the presumed destruction of sugar in the blood during 

 its transit through the lungs. Phosphoric acid (Pharmacopoeia 

 strength), to the extent of 7| fluid drachms, was injected into the 

 jugular vein of a dog, and the blood of the arterial system became 

 strongly charged with sugar. Since this experiment was performed, 

 it has been ascertained that there is not the difference during life in 

 the blood on the two sides of the lungs that was formerly supposed 

 to exist ; and it has become evident that it was not to arresting any 

 change in the lungs, as I at first supposed, that the result I obtained 

 was due. The fact of the blood being rendered saccharine, led me to 

 infer that a saccharine state of the urine might also be occasioned ; 

 and in order to settle this point I undertook the experiments that 

 form the subject of my present communication. 



In seven instances I have tried the effect of injecting phosphoric 

 acid into the general circulation. I find that it is an experiment 

 which requires to be performed with the greatest nicety: the 

 animal withstands the introduction of the acid to a certain extent 

 without manifesting any disturbance, and it may even, at first, be in- 

 jected pretty rapidly ; but when a certain amount, varying in different 

 instances according to the size of the animal, has been introduced, the 

 further introduction requires to be made most slowly and with the 

 utmost care, attentively watching its effects ; otherwise destruction 

 of life will be occasioned. I have found this to occur in one case 

 after one ounce had been employed, arid in another after 1 drachms : 

 in both of these cases the animals were of a smallish size. In two 

 good-sized animals the injection of an ounce did not thus lead to im- 

 mediate death, and did not produce any alteration in the state of the 

 urine as far as regards sugar. Having carried the experiments fur- 

 ther, however, I find that when the injection is pushed to the fullest 

 extent that the animal will safely bear, a saccharine state of the urine 

 is the result. I will give the particulars of two experiments in which 



