1903.] Fats accompanying Absolution from the Intestine. 143 



The four solutions were placed in the incubator at 36 C., and examined as soon 

 as they had attained the temperature of the incubator. 



No. 1 was completely dissolved to a clear solution ; Nos. 2 and 3 were opalescent 

 and contained a good deal of undissolved oleate ; No. 4 was clear but contained 

 still a small amount of undissolved oleate. 



Examined again, 4 hours later, the appearances presented by the four solutions 

 were much the same as at the previous examination, while microscopic examination 

 showed no trace of fat globule* in any of the four solutions, but merely fine 

 amorphous granules. 



An examination made 46 hours after the commencement of the experiment, 

 during the whole of which interval the solutions had been maintained at a tem- 

 perature of 36 C., showed complete clear solution in Nos. 1 and 4 without a trace 

 of cloudiness or precipitate, and giving a clear field under the microscope. Nos. 2 

 and 3 were opalescent and contained sediment, but there was no layer of oil and no 

 globules visible under the microscope. 



These controls demonstrate therefore that the formation of free oleic acid found 

 in the previous experiments was due to some hydrolytic agent present in the tissue 

 extracts. 



Series B. 



In the experiments of Series A, extracts free from cells were 

 employed throughout, and as the results were different from those 

 of previous observers who had employed the cells of the tissues, 

 attention was now turned to similar experiments in the presence of 

 the cells. 



To make the experiments comparable with those of previous 

 workers, the solutions, after digestion with the soap and glycerine 

 in presence of the fresh cells, were evaporated down to dryness before 

 extraction with ether for the determination of the nature of the fatty 

 constituents. 



By the use of this method the quantity of total ethereal extract is 

 largely increased ; but the control experiments, as well as the experi- 

 ments recorded in Series C (vide infra), showed that the increase here 

 obtained is due to dissolved soap and not to neutral fat. 



Expt. 1. The intestinal mucosa of a cat was prepared as already described, 

 and two quantities of 6 grammes each were weighed out. 



Portion No. 1 had 30 c.c. of normal saline, 0'6 gramme of sodium oleate, and 

 0'3 gramme of glycerine added ; and portion No. 2, which was used as a control, 

 had 30 c.c. of normal saline only added. 



The two flasks containing the mixtures were placed in the incubator at 36 C. for 

 a period of 43 hours, and were then taken out and the contents evaporated to 

 dryness in porcelain basins on a steam bath. 



When both were dry, 0'6 gramme of sodium oleate was added to No. 2, and then 

 in each case four extractions were immediately commenced with ether. The united 

 ethereal extracts in each case were evaporated to dryness, and the residue* 

 weighed. 



Bach residue was then dissolved in hot alcohol, and the amount of free fattv 

 acid determined by titration with -jL N caustic soda, using phenol-phthale'in a* 

 indicator. 



