WASTE PKODUCTS. 113 



theory of the fermentations, gives expression to this, as a law 

 of all fermentation. (I translate from Chemische Briefe, 6te 

 Auflage S., 258. " Die Gahrung ist stets in ihrem Resultate 

 eine Spaltung eineszusammen-gesetzten Atoms in eine sauers- 

 tofFreiche und eine sauerstoffarme Verbindung; indem sich in 

 der Alkohol-garung eine gewisse Quantitat von sauerstoff 

 von den elementen des zuckers in der form von Kohlensaure 

 trent, erhalten wir den brennbaren, leicht entziindlich sauers- 

 toffarmen Alkohol.") " Fermentation is always, in its results, 

 a splitting of combined atoms into a compound rich in 

 oxygen, and a compound poor in oxygen ; so in alcoholic fer- 

 mentation, a certain amount of oxygen is divided from the 

 sugar in the form of carbonic acid, and we obtain the inflam- 

 mable alcohol, poor in oxygen." 



When we compare this statement with what is now known 

 of fermentation we find it correct. But we may do more than 

 this, for if we extend it so as to cover all life, in whatever 

 form, we find that it is still correct ; and that it is a law of 

 the formation of waste products. For in the animal forms 

 we find as excrementitious products the same carbonic acid 

 rich in oxygen, and urea poor in oxygen. In the higher 

 plants we still find the same carbonic acid rich in oxygen, 

 and the alkaloids and organic acids poor in oxygen. Here 

 we see as the final result of the remoleculizations by the life 

 force, waste products analogous to those of the yeast plant. 

 In other words we find in all forms of life a respiratory 

 waste product rich in oxygen, and an urinary waste product 

 poor in oxygen. 



I have already shown that in the physiological sense, there 

 is a close resemblance, a certain oneness of plan existing 

 among all forms of life in the matter of taking food. Now 

 it is my purpose to show that this identity of plan is extended 

 to all the living forms in the matter of waste products as well. 



