458 REPORT — 1900. 



experiments — viz., physiological solution of sodium chloride — when 

 injected in small quantities, produces upon the functions of the kidney. 



In the next place, attention was directed to the effects which certain 

 constituents of untipeptone — viz., arginin and lysin — exert upon meta- 

 bolism. 



Two methods M-ere adopted for this purpose. 



In one form of experiment, a solution of the substance under con- 

 sideration was injected into the circulation, urine being collected for 

 definite periods before and after the injection. This showed, inter alia, 

 that neither of the substances reappeared as such, in any appreciable 

 quantity, in the urine. Tlie full results are not, however, ready for 

 publication. 



In the second class of experiment, an animal was brought into nitro- 

 genous equilibrium and the substance administered, either by addition to 

 the diet or by subcutaneous injection. 



These latter experiments are of necessity very laborious, and slow in 

 yielding results. They are, moreover, only in their commencement. 

 Nevertheless, very interesting facts promise to arise out of them. For 

 example, a pronounced form of glycosuria seems to be caused by the 

 subcutaneous injection of arginin. The work has, however, not yet been 

 controlled, and it would obviously be premature to go further into the 

 facts. 



Hithei'to, the necessary arginin and lysin have been generously placed 

 at my disposal by Professor A. Kossel, of Maiburg. These substances 

 are, however, very expensive to produce, and it can hardly be hoped that 

 a sufficient supply will in future be available from this source. The 

 experiments are also in themselves more costly than those of former 

 years. For these reasons, as well as on account of the important results 

 which they promise to yield, it is deemed necessary to apply for an 

 increased grant, viz., of 40^. 



The secretary has been responsible for the carrying out of the work. 



Vascular Snpply of Secreting Glands. — Beport of the Committee, con- 

 sisting of Professor E. H. Starling {Chairman), Dr. J. L. 

 Bunch (Secretary), and Dr. L. E. Shore, on the Effect of 

 Chorda, Stimulaiion on the Volume of the Sitlmaxilla.ry Gland. 

 (Bravm up bi/ the Secretary.) 



Changes in volume of the submaxillary gland may be brought about 

 both by variations in the flow of blood to the gland and of secretion from 

 the gland. Not so long ago it was believed that a distinct causal relation- 

 ship existed between vascular supply and secretion ; that fluid was 

 secreted from the gland as a result of increased intracapillary pressure, 

 and the discovery by Claude Bernard of the vaso dilator action of the 

 chorda tympani — the chief secretory nerve then known — lent additional 

 weight to this theory. But the theory was disproved by Ludwig, who 

 showed that the dog's submaxillaiy could be made to secrete by stimulation 

 of the cervical sympathetic nerve, though such stimulation caused vaso- 

 constriction and not vaso-dilatation, and that the pressure in the gland - 

 duct could exceed the pressure even in the carotid artery. Other facts 

 were discovered, such as the paralysis of the secretory fibres of the 



