LIQUOR OF THE AMNIOS. 



analyzed by Dr Bostock about tbe year 1812,* and by Fromherz 

 and Gugert in 1827.J 



Fromherz and Gugert describe it as yellow, muddy, and hav- 

 ing a slight taste and smell. When perfectly fresh, it reddens 

 turmeric paper, but the red stain disappears as the paper dries, 

 showing that the free alkali present is ammonia. When evapo- 

 rated to dryness, it left, according to Vauquelin and Buniva, 1-2 

 per cent, according to Dr Bostock, 1'66, and according to 

 Fromherz and Gugert, 3 per cent, of residue. 



It is coagulated when raised to the boiling point, or when mix- 

 ed with alcohol. Nitric and muriatic acids throw down from it 

 a copious precipitate, but acetic acid only occasions a slight pre- 

 cipitate, which Fromherz and Gugert consider as casein. Caus- 

 tic potash throws down grayish white flocks. Corrosive sublimate 

 gives a copious precipitate, which becomes red after an interval 

 of some minutes. With infusion of nut-galls it is precipitated 

 abundantly of a light-yellow colour. When the liquor of the 

 amnios is distilled in glass-vessels, till one-fourth of it has passed 

 over into the receiver, we obtain a great deal of carbonate of am- 

 monia and a certain quantity of sulphuret of ammonium. When 

 the distillation is continued, more carbonate of ammonia passes 

 into the receiver, but no more sulphuret of ammonium. 



When filtrated liquor amnii is treated with caustic potash, 

 phosphate of lime, and lime precipitate, both in combination with 

 an animal matter, by means of which they had been kept in solu- 

 tion. The potash unites with a portion of this matter, which 

 causes these earthy salts to precipitate. 



When the liquor of the amnios is evaporated to dryness and the 

 residue treated with alcohol, a yellow extractive substance is dis- 

 solved, to which Fromherz and Gugert have given the name ofos- 

 mazome. The insoluble portion consists chiefly of albumen ; but con- 

 tains also casein and salivin. But of the presence of this last 

 substance they have given no evidence. By treating another 

 portion of the liquor amnii in another manner, they obtained ben- 

 zoic acid and urea. But the evidence of the presence of these 

 two substances is very incomplete. What they considered as nitrate 

 of urea was not subjected to any examination. They found also 

 in the liquor amnii much common salt ; phosphate, sulphate, and 



* Schweigger's Jour, xxiii. 407. f Ibid. 1. 191. 



