368 CASE OF SAECINA VENTEICULI. 



" On comparing these properties with, the characters known 

 to distinguish the organic acids of animal origin, they will be 

 found to correspond closely with those of lactic acid, which 

 accordingly I believe the acid I have been describing to be. 

 Hydrated lactic acid (H + C^ H^ 0^) is stated by Berzelius * 

 and Liebigt to constitute a colourless syrupy liquid, inodorous, 

 uncrystallisable, and not volatile, but decomposed at a tem- 

 perature of 480°. It forms soluble salts with all the metallic 

 oxides, and dissolves a large quantity of phosphate of lime. 

 There is no single decisive test of its presence, nor does it 

 present any other marked characteristics which could be 

 sought for in the acid under examination. One method there 

 certainly is by which the identity of this acid with the lactic 

 could have been ascertained — an ultimate analysis namely, and 

 .discovery of its atomic weight ; but it was impossible to put 

 this plan in practice. Nevertheless, I think the conclusion 

 will be admitted that the acid was the lactic. 



" Three acids, then, were found in the liquid — hydrochloric, 

 acetic, and lactic ; the first was present in too small quantity 

 to be considered a morbid product. So far as the organic 

 acids are concerned, it is impossible to say whether their mere 

 presence constitutes a morbid sign, for the statements on 

 record concerning the normal acids of the stomach are very 

 incomplete and unsatisfactory. Dr. Prout found in the 

 stomachs of the lower animals no acid but the hydrochloric.^ 

 Leuretand Lassaigne found only the lactic ;§ Schultz only the 

 acetic ; || Chevreul found only the lactic in the gastric juice 

 of dog, and in the liquid brought up by an emetic from the 

 stomach of a healthy man fasting. If On the other hand, 

 Gmelin found in the lower animals muriatic and acetic acids, 



* Traite de Chimie, tome vii. pp. 612-620. 



t Turner's Chemistry, p. 996. % Phil. Trans. 1824, p. 45. 



§ Rechcrches Physiologiques et Cliimiques, p. 115. 



II Miiller's Physiology, p. 564. H Leuret et Lassaigne, op. cit. p. 117. 



