12 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 



by other investigators, and the interesting question as to the poison- 

 ous nature of the human physiological secretions and excretions 

 seems to require further proof. 



The so-called leucomaines command a special interest. Those 

 substances of basic nature which are incessantly and regularly pro- 

 duced as products of the decomposition of the protein substances of 

 the organism, and which therefore are to be considered as products 

 of the physiological exchange of substance, have been called leuco- 

 maines by GrAUTiER in contradistinction to the ptomaines produced 

 by micro-organisms. These substances, with the exception of a 

 few which were known in animal extractives, were first found 

 by GAUTIER in animal tissues and muscles, and among these he 

 finds some which are poisonous in small doses. The leucomaines 

 of late are considered of special importance as originators of disease. 

 It has been contended that when these bodies accumulate, on ac- 

 count of an incomplete excretion or oxidation in the system, an 

 autointoxication may be produced (BOUCHARD). Though this 

 view is not by any means based upon generally-recognized facts, 

 still it oilers an interesting starting-point for physiological and 

 pathological chemical research. 



