DIGESTION 



39 



From tryptophane the malodorous bodies indole and 

 skatole may be produced, thus : 



C.CH 2 CH.NH 2 .COOH 

 H 



Nl 



Indole-amino- 

 propionic acid 

 Tryptophane 



C.CH 2 CH 2 .COOH 

 CH 



NH 



Indole- 

 propionic acid 



CH 



Indole-acetic 

 acid 



In the explanation of these changes in both instances 

 it is seen that the types of chemical reactions are iden- 

 tical. First deamination or splitting off of ammonia, 

 NH 3 , occurs. This is followed by a cleavage of carbon 

 dioxicfc, oxidation, and finally demethylation. The 

 chemical transformations therefore are quite varied 

 and extensive. 



When putrefaction is mentioned one invariably 

 thinks of indole, skatole, the oxy acids, etc. These 

 compounds, however, by no means represent all of the 

 substances actually formed for a type of chemical 

 compound has been isolated which is also peculiarly 



