; CHEMISTRY OF THE HUMAN BODY. 61 



is taken up by the veins, and a part thrown off by the skin, 

 lungs, and various secretions, we shall see how gelatine may 

 be formed out of albumen^ 



26.fOsmazome is an element which exists in all the animal 

 fluids^ and in some of the solids, as the brain and muscular 

 fbre. It is of a reddish brown colour, of an aromatic smell 

 and agreeable taste^ fit is this which gives the strong flav- 

 our of roasted meat, and the peculiar taste of the various 

 kinds of animal food. It is supposed to be tonic and stimu- 

 lating, but to possess no nutritive properties^ 



27. pfwcws is that bland fluid which moistens the surface 

 of all the mucous membranes^' 'n some of the hard parts 

 of the body, which are destitute of sensibility, it is found to 

 exist in considerable quantities, as in the nails, hair, and 

 cuticle of man, and in the scales, feathers, and wool of dif- 

 ferent animals. That part of the skin called rete mucoscum, 

 is supposed to be compacted mucus. Mucus is transparent, 

 has no colour or taste, and has a ropy and viscid consist- 

 ence. When dry, it is insoluble in water. It contains 

 much azote\ 



28. uThere are some other substances found in the human 

 body, such as caseine, or that principle of the milk which 

 forms the basis of cheese, curd, &c. ; but they are not of 

 sufficient importance to need a particular description^ 



Questions. What is meant by the chemical composition of the 

 body ? What are some of the ultimate elements ? What are some 

 of the proximate elements ? How have the ultimate elements been 

 divided ? Is oxygen essential to all the proximate elements ? What 

 is said of hydrogen ? Of carbon ? Of Azote ? How do oxygen, 

 hydrogen, and azote get into the system ? Is phosphorus found in 

 animal bodies ? What other elements are met with in animals ? How 

 are the organic elements' of the body formed ? How divided ? What 

 acids are found in animal bodies?^ What are the most important 

 compounds in the body ? What is said of albumen ? In what is it 

 found ? What is fibrin the basis of? How may it be obtained from 



