TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 135- 
and vital properties of the living structures, and to combine, if possible, the know- 
ledge and labours of natural  epegies and physiologists. He therefore concluded 
by submitting to the Council of the British Association the propriety of appointing 
a subcommittee to cooperate with the Royal College of Physicians of Towtce 
(who are specially interested in everything relating to Harvey’s fame), for the pur- 
pose of investigating the physics of the circulation, and so rendering more intel- 
ligible the nature of the connexion existing in the living body between the motion 
of the blood and the performance of the secondary functions of life. 
On the Difference of Behaviour exhibited by Inuline and ordinary Starch when 
treated with Salivary Diastase and other converting Agents. By Professor 
Rotreston, W.D., M.A., PBS, 
The following were the chief results to which Prof. Rolleston had arrived :— 
I. Inuline from the Dahlia retains sugar with great tenacity, but, by repeated 
washings, it can be freed from that impurity. 
II. When thus freed from sugar, it obstinately resists the converting influence of 
salivary diastase. . 
II. This salivary diastase was obtained from human saliva, and from parotid- and 
submaxillary-gland substance infused with water and buccal mucus. 
FV. The same salivary diastase instantly converted ordinary starch into grape-sugar. 
V. This salivary-gland infusion, however, if made with salivary-gland substance 
from young animals yet sucking, Dr. Rolleston had found to be ineffectual . 
upon ordinary starch. Bidder’s researches were in accordance with his. 
These results led to the two following practical rules :—1. Artichokes are little 
likely to act as a substitute for the potato, as they contain inuline vice starch. 
2. Starch-foods are useless in the early months of infancy, as salivary diastase at 
such a period is inactive. 
Tobacco-Smoking : its effects upon Pulsation. By Kpwarp Suitu, M.D., F.BS., 
Assistant-Physician to the Hospital for Consumption, §c., Brompton. 
Dr. Smith had recently made a series of observations, chiefly upon medical men, 
which showed that in some persons tobacco-smoking greatly and rapidly increased 
the rate of pulsation. 
The experiments were made at 10 p.m., when the rate of pulsation naturally 
declines (as he had proved by hourly experiments published in his work on the 
Cyclical Changes of the Human System), and at least four hours after any fluid or 
solid food had been taken. They were made in the sitting posture, after it had been 
maintained fifteen minutes, and with the most absolute quietude of body and mind; 
and thus all influences were eliminated but those due to the tobacco. 
The rate of the pulsation was taken every minute for a period beginning two or 
three minutes before the smoking began, and continuing during twenty minutes, 
or until the pipe was exhausted. 
The following are the chief results obtained :— 
Experiment 1.—Pulsation before smoking was 743 per minute. 
Smoking 6 minutes, 79, 77, 80, 78, 78, 77 per minute=78:1 average. 
Smoking 7 minutes, 83, 87, 88, 94, 98, 102, 102 per minute=93°4 average. 
Smoking 8 minutes, 105, 105, 104, 105, 105, 107, 107, 110 per min.= 106 average. 
After smoking 11 minutes, 112, 108, 107, 101, 101, 100, 100, 100, 100, 98, and 91. 
There was thus a maximum increase of 37} pulsations per minute. 
Experiment 2.—Smoking through camphor julep in a hookah. 
Pulsation before smoking 793 per minute. 
Smoking 6 minutes, 81, 81, 81, 83, 82, 82 per minute=81°6 average. 
é c 85, 89, 89, 93, 96, 90, 94, 94, 93 
Smoking 17 minutes, } 99° 95, 95, 95, 96, 94, 97, 98=93. 
The maximum increase was 173 pulsations per minute. 
Experiment 3.—Smoking an empty pipe. 
Pulsation before smoking 78 pulsations per minute. 
