ESTIMATION OP DIASTASE IN BLOOD. 71 



Table V gives the diastatic activity of three cases of diabetes. In the 

 case D. G — , cardiac complications and pulmonary JSbrosis were present. 



Table V. — The Diastatic Activity of the Blood in three Abnormal Cases. 



Bir^r.^ Blood TT,.;„<» Urine 



Case. A.e. Sex. Date. ^fj-^, peTc^^.^. dia^. ^^S, ^^^et. Remarks. 



A. I— . 39 . M. . 13/12/22 . 245 . 19 . — . 5 . Restricted . — 



D. G-. 28 . M. . 16/2/23 . 145 . -111. 66 . -25. Not . No albumin in 



restricted urine. 



A.C- . 30 . M. . 8/3/23 { |f ^5 . ;122 . 10 . 66 J R^.^ricted { ^^ "^^^i^^" ^" 



In the course of this investigation certain points have arisen which seem 

 to suggest that the hourly diastatic activity of the blood should not be repre- 

 sented by a constant figure as has been suggested by some. An investigation 

 of the matter has already been commenced and certain observations have been 

 made. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSED METHOD. 



Sugar estimations with picric acid very frequently give results which are 

 decidedly too high. This may be due to — 



{a) The disturbing effect of creatinine, which varies in amount patho- 

 logically and physiologically. In certain renal conditions creatinine is found 

 in excess. On ingestion of food it may be increased, as has been confirmed by 

 many observers, in particular Kose and Dimmitt (1916), who showed that the 

 excess may continue for some days after ingestion. On muscular exercise an 

 increase may be found if measured at a short interval after exercise 

 (Schulz, 1912). No doubt other metabolic influences may have an effect on 

 the creatinine content. 



(6) The presence of an unknown substance or substances in the red blood - 

 cells, as demonstrated by De Wesselow (1919), who found marked variation in 

 the sugar concentrations depending on the number of red blood-corpuscles, and 

 obviously not due to creatinine. 



The present method has the advantage of avoiding these sources of 

 inaccuracy. In addition, its simplicity, rapidity and cheapness are notable 

 considerations ; the avoidance of the necessity of using such expensive apparatus 

 as a colorimeter, as in Benedict's and Folin's methods, is important.* 



I am indebted to Prof. J. A. MacWilliam and to Prof. Hugh MacLean for 

 much kindly help and criticism. 



EEFEKENCES. 



De Wesselow, 0. L. V.-(1919) Biochem. J., 13, 148. 



Harrison, G. A., and Lawrence, E. D. — (1923) Lancet, 1, 169. 



MacLean, Hugh.— (1919) Biochem. J., 13, 135. 



Myers, V. C, and Killian, J. A.— (1917) /. Biol. Chem., 29, 179. 



Rose, W. C, and Dimmitt, P. W.-(1916) /. Biol. Chem., 26, 345. 



Schulz, W.— (1912) Arch.f. d. ges. Physiol, 186, 726. 



Sherman, H. C., Kendal, E. C, and Clark, E. D. — (1910) /. Amer. Chem. Soc, 32, 



1073. 

 Stocks, P.— (1916) Quart. J. Med., 9, 216. 



* The necessary equipment for the present method can be obtained from Hawksley & Sons, 

 Wigmore Street, London, for about three pounds. 



ADLABD AND SON AND WEST NEWMAN, LTD., IMPR., LONDON AND DOBKlNa. 



