224 BIOLOGY OF SPECIALIZED GROUPS 



disagreeable odor attendant on all putrefactive processes. 

 These substances are produced to a large extent in the 



human intestine. The process takes place in the absence 

 of oxygen. 



On the decomposition of the nuclein of the nucleoprotein, 

 phosphoric acid and the various purin bases are produced. 



The various fat compounds are also decomposed by the 

 action of the enzymes of saprogenic bacteria. The changes pro- 

 duced are very similar to the fermentation of carbohydrates. 

 Gases are evolved, and glycerine and the many fatty acids 



+ 3 H 2 O = C 3 H 5 (OH) 3 + 3 C 15 H 3 iCOOH 



Palmitin Glycerine Palmitic acid 



are produced. Butyric acid is one of the common fatty 

 acids which is produced in fat decomposition. The lecithin 

 (C^H^NPOg), which is a phosphorized fat, and commonly 

 combined with the protein molecule, can be easily split into 

 the ptomain, cholin and this into another very toxic ptomain 

 called neurin. These ptomains will be discussed elsewhere. 



As stated heretofore, in putrefaction there is also some fer- 

 mentation of the carbohydrate compounds. The enzymes 

 producing these fermentations have the power of hydrating 

 dextrose, maltose, inulose, starch, etc. The products of this 

 process include practically all of the fatty acids and the oxy- 

 acids, among which are lactic, succinic, and oxybutyric, etc. 

 In addition to these, acetone, oxalic acid, and small quantities 

 of ethyl alcohol are formed. Methane, carbon dioxide, and 

 hydrogen are the principal gases produced. 



