60 POISONOUS PROTEINS 



duction of a foreign protein. (1) It may be elim- 

 inated through the kidneys. (2) It may be 

 passed into the alimentary canal and there di- 

 gested. (3) It may be digested parenterally. 

 All these dispositions may be employed in the 

 disposal of the foreign protein. 



The literature concerning the renal elimina- 

 tion of foreign proteins is voluminous, but often 

 contradictory. The occurrence and extent of 

 this form of disposal vary with the kind of pro- 

 tein, the quantity, the rapidity of introduction, 

 the species and individuality of the animal and 

 probably upon many unknown conditions. It 

 was formerly supposed that all the protein pass- 

 ing through the kidneys after parenteral intro- 

 duction consists of that introduced. It has been 

 definitely shown that this is not true and the es- 

 timates found in the older literature showing 

 the per cent eliminated by the kidney are with- 

 out value. Some years ago it was shown in my 

 laboratory that in the urine of rabbits after the 

 parenteral introduction of egg-white, both egg- 

 white and blood protein appear. Guinea-pigs 

 were sensitized to both with the urine. This 

 gives no indication of the proportion in which 

 they were present. It has been shown by Chi- 

 ray and confirmed in my laboratory that for- 

 eign protein injected into the blood soon dis- 



