40O 



HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 



It is oxidised into indoxyl thus 



H 



_N C H 



// 

 C 



O'H 



This when linked to sulphate of potassium forms indoxyl- 

 sulphate of potassium or indican. 



S0 2 OK 



From skatol, which is methyl-indol, skatoxyl-sulphate of 

 potassium is formed in the same way. 



These bodies are colourless, but when oxidised they yield 

 pigments indican yielding indigo blue, skatoxyl-sulphate of 

 potassium yielding a rose colour. 



H 



S0 2 OK 



Phenol is also linked with sulphate of potassium, and 

 excreted in the urine. 



Their amount depends upon the activity of putrefaction in 

 the intestine, and is a good index of its extent. 



