52 THE BIOLOGY OF DAILY LIFE. 



more remotely in the lymphatic glands, the 

 spleen, and the medulla of bones ; and that 

 light is of the greatest importance in the 

 formation of haemoglobin. With respect to 

 the properties and function of the red cor- 

 puscles, it is to be noted that the ultimate 

 elements of haemoglobin are carbon, nitrogen, 

 hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur, and iron."* . . . 

 " Most important of all its properties, haemo- 

 globin combines with certain gases to form 

 definite chemical compounds ; with to form 

 oxyhaemoglobin." . . . These compounds, and 

 especially the oxyhaemoglobin, are exceedingly 

 unstable." . . . " Alternate oxidation of haemo- 

 globin and deoxidation of oxyhaemoglobin are 

 constantly going on within the red corpuscles 

 of the circulating blood ; and the two changes 

 occurring in the pulmonary and systemic 

 capillaries respectively, constitute the first 

 great function of the blood its oxygenating 

 or respiratory function." . . . 



" It must be clearly understood that dis- 

 orders connected with the red corpuscles or 

 respiratory elements of the body, whether in 

 amount, composition, or circulation, directly 

 affect the oxidation-processes only.f 



" Besides its origin and its function there is 

 a third relation of the red corpuscle to the 



*To complete the list, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium 

 should be added. (See Schmidt's Table in " Quain's Anatomy," 

 p. xii.) 



fl shall presently show cause for believing that the red 

 corpuscle is directly concerned in the making of muscle. 



