BLOOD. 179 



The alcoholic solution of the sulphate of hgematin which 

 (unless the alcohol were too dilute) contains no globulin, may 

 be poured into a flask, and united with the fluid, which is 

 subsequently obtained on the separation of the hsematin from 

 the globulin, {i, c.) 



The sulphate of globulin separates pretty completely in the 

 form of flocks from its alcoholic solution, on cooling. The 

 supernatant spirit, which frequently has a slightly acid reaction, 

 must be evaporated, till only a little is left ; and we must then 

 try whether upon the addition of strong alcohol, any globulin 

 will still be precipitated. The whole of the sulphate of globulin 

 must be added to that which is subsequently obtained from the 

 hsematoglobulin. 



If, in accordance with the methods of Berzelius and Denis, 

 the clot is washed for the purpose of obtaining the fibrin, the 

 nuclei and capsules of the blood-corpuscles are entangled in, 

 and increase the apparent quantity of the fibrin ; if however 

 the fibrin is removed by whipping, according to my method, 

 then the nuclei and capsules remain in the albumen, and in- 

 crease its estimated quantity. 



I am not acquainted with any researches tending to show 

 the degree in which the proportions of albumen and fibrin are 

 modified by the adoption of one or other of these methods. 

 Maitland,^ hoM'ever, observes that the quantity of fibrin ob- 

 tained by whipping is less than that obtained by washing the 

 clot. Miiller,^ on the contrary, thinks that the weight of the 

 nuclei must be extremely small, and that the results obtained 

 by the two methods are very nearly the same. INIy own opinion 

 is, that the fibrin cannot be determined Avith accuracy from the 

 washed clot. 



Globuliti. The globulin can be calculated with considerable 

 accuracy if the albumen has been perfectly freed from the 

 hsematoglobulin. I have never yet succeeded in entirely 

 removing the hsematin from the globulin. It is known that 

 even nearly colourless globulin leaves, on incineration, an ash 

 which is pretty rich in peroxide of iron. Whether globidin 

 generally contains peroxide of ii'on or not, I cannot positively 



' An Experimental Essay on the Physiology of the Blood, 1838. 

 * Physiologic des Menscheu, vol. 1, p. 119. 



