THE OXIDIZING SUBSTANCE OF THE BLOOD-PLASMA. 145 



cretion of hippuric acid is likewise increased. This is also 

 witnessed in acute febrile processes, diabetes, chorea, and 

 various other disorders. On the whole, the following conclu- 

 sions appear to us to be sustained: 



1. When the secretion of the adrenals reaches the pulmonary 

 alveoli, it absorbs oxygen from the air and forms with the latter a 

 compound, or "oxidizing substance." 



2. A part of this oxidizing substance is absorbed by the haemo- 

 globin of the corpuscles and the balance remains in the blood- 

 plasma. 



3. This oxidizing substance is the reagent to which the oxida- 

 tion processes that occur in the blood-stream are due. 



The far-reaching meaning of the third conclusion will be 

 emphasized in subsequent chapters, which in reality constitute 

 a continuous chain of evidence to the effect that the oxidizing 

 substance underlies all the oxidation processes of the organism. 



