THE MUSCLE-ALBUMINS. 365 



Per cent. 



Water 75.50 



Solids 24.50 



Organic constituents 23.50 



Myosin (?) 7.74 



Nucleins 0.37 



Albumins, proteids, and albuminoids (insoluble in 



neutral solution) 15.25 



Collagen (referable to interfibrillary connective 



tissue) 3.16 



Fats 3.71 



Glycogen 0.7-1.0 



Lactic acid 0.1-1.0 



Inosit 0.003 



Kreatin 0.21-0.28 



Xanthin 0.01-0.1 1 



Hypoxanthin 0.04-0.12 



Guanin 0.005 



Inorganic constituents 1.000 



Phosphoric acid 0.4674 



Chlorine . 0.0672 



Potassium oxide 0.4654 



Sodium oxide 0.0770 



Calcium oxide 0.0086 



Magnesium oxide 0.0412 



Iron oxide 0.0057 



In studying this analysis we observe that, aside from the mineral 

 constituents, various bodies are encountered here which represent 

 distinct products of katabolism, and which are hence most likely not 

 concerned in the specific function of the muscle-tissue. These com- 

 prise the common extractives, viz., xanthin, hypoxanthin, guanin, 

 kreatin, lactic acid, and possibly also inosit. They are no doubt 

 formed as a consequence of cellular activity, but play no rdle in the 

 function of the muscle proper. On the other hand, we meet with 

 food-stuifs proper, viz., albumins, carbohydrates, and fats, and we 

 may a priori expect that all these substances, conjointly or in- 

 dividually, are directly concerned in the contractile function of 

 the cell. 



THE MUSCLE-ALBUMINS. 



As in the case of all tissues of the body, the muscle-tissue also 

 consists of a liquid portion, the so-called muscle-plasma, and a more 

 solid portion, which may be termed the muscle-stroma. 



Muscle -plasma may be obtained in the following manner : while 

 the animal is still living the blood is thoroughly washed from the 

 large skeletal muscles by injecting into the larger arteries a dilute 

 saline solution that has been warmed to the temperature of the body, 

 and allowing the fluid to escape from the corresponding veins. This 

 is continued after death until the outflowing water is colorless. The 

 muscles are then rapidly dissected off, ground to a pulp together 

 with pumice-stone, and passed through a filter-press. The resulting 

 liquid is the muscle-plasma. 



i In birds 



