VOL. XXXIX.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. J^ 



Of the Bones of yinimals changed to a Red Colour bi/ Aliment only. By John 

 Belchier, Surgeon, F. R. S. N" 442, p. 287. 



That the circulation of the blood is carried on through the bones, is evident 

 (Mr. B. observes) from many phaenomena in surgery ; but that it is universally 

 and intimately distributed through the most solid and compact substance of the 

 bones, though hitherto by some made a matter of doubt, will appear undeniably 

 from the instances here produced ; which are the bones of several hogs, of a 

 different breed, changed to a deep red colour, merely by aliment. And what 

 makes this still more surprising is, that neither the fleshy nor cartilaginous 

 parts suffer the least alteration in colour or in taste. 



The diet of these hogs was bran, after it had been boiled in a copper with 

 printed callicoes, in order to clean them from a dirty red colour occasioned by 

 an infusion of madder root, which is used to fix the colours printed on the 

 cloth. Some of these colours are made with preparations from iron, others 

 with a mixture of alum and sugar of lead. The parts printed with the pre- 

 paration of iron, produce black and purple ; those printed with the mixture of 

 alum, red of different degrees, according to the strength of the mixture. The 

 bran having .absorbed the red colour discharged from the cloth, was mixed with 

 the common food of the hogs, and produced this effect on their bones. 



On examining these bones, Mr. B. observes in general the solid parts to be 

 most tinctured, and the teeth particularly, except the enamelled part, which 

 is of a different substance ; and on sawing them through, he found the internal 

 parts equally tinged, except at the ends of the bones, where the substance is 

 more spongy. And in order to discharge the colour, he macerated them in 

 water for many weeks together; boiled them often, and steeped them in spirits, 

 but all proved ineffectual ; nor was the least tincture given to any of the liquids, 

 on which he made experiments. 



^n Observation of a white Liquor resembling Milk, which appeared instead of 

 Serum separated from the Blood after it had stood some time. By Alexander 

 Stuart, M. D., F. R. S. N" 442, p. 289. 



One John Wicks, a carver, in Bromley-street, about 40 years of age, had 

 been ill about 3 weeks by a loss of appetite and indigestion, and at last a pain 

 and distention of his stomach, with a low degree of an inflammatory fever; his 

 tongue dry, rough, and of a rusty brown colour in the middle, with a white 

 soft list on each side ; his urine very high coloured, with a large quantity of a 

 slimy pink-coloured sediment ; his stools very yellow and loose. 



