466 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 



active current of fluids after taking large quantities of water an 

 increased metabolism of proteids takes place. VOIT considers this 

 explanation is the correct one, although he does not deny that by 

 the abundant- administration of water a more complete washing out 

 of the urea from the tissues takes place. 



In regard to the action of water on the formation of fat and its 

 metabolism, the view that abundant drinking of water is favorable 

 for the deposition of fat seems to be generally admitted, while 

 taking only very little water acts against its formation. 



Salts. The excretion of urine, even when no great quantities 

 of water are taken, is increased by common salt, and the elimina- 

 tion of urea is also increased at the same time. The same two 

 possibilities may be considered for this last as in the action of water 

 on the excretion of urea. The experiments continued for a long 

 time by VOIT, in which the absolute increase of the elimination of 

 urea was considerable (106 grms. in 49 days), render the conclusion 

 probable that common salt somewhat increases the metabolism of 

 the proteids. Certain other salts, such as potassium chloride, 

 sodium sulphate, sodium phosphate, acetate, saltpetre, and 

 ammonium chloride, also seem to act like common salt. Sodium 

 borate and the sodium salts of salicylic and benzoic acids also seem 

 to have an increased action on the metabolism of proteids. 



Alcohol. The question as to how far the alcohol absorbed in the 

 intestinal canal is burnt in the body, or whether it leaves the body 

 unchanged by various channels, has been the subject of much dis- 

 cussion. To all appearances the greatest part of the alcohol is burnt. 

 According to BODLANDER, 1.18$ of the alcohol taken is eliminated 

 with the urine, 0.14$ by the evaporation from the skin, and 1.6$ 

 with the expired air. The remainder, or about 97$, is burnt in the 

 body. As the alcohol is in greatest part burnt in the body, then 

 the question arises whether it acts sparingly on other bodies, and 

 whether it is to be considered as a nutritive body. The investiga- 

 tions made to decide this question have led to no decisive result. 

 In the experiments on the elimination of nitrogen in human beings 

 sometimes a diminished (HAMMOND, E. SMITH, OBERNIER), some- 

 times an unchanged (PARKES and WOLLOWICZ), and in other cases 

 an increased (FORSTER and ROMEYN) elimination of nitrogen was 

 observed after the administration of small amounts of alcohol. 



