1885.] creatine and urea in muscular tissue. 273 



&c. \ 



f l CN . OH 



^CN.OH 

 CHJ 



M300H 



The CN . NH 2 is now liberated to form urea and we have 



&c. j 

 U 



[CN . OH 

 CH 2 CH J 



Um.oh 



CH 2 



tcOOH 



( OH 

 remaining, the CH 2 jp nr >TT being converted into glycollic acid, 



(OH 



and the CH 2 . CH 2 jp M being either converted into lactic acid, 



and undergoing the other changes previously referred to, or being 

 combined with NH 3 to form a cyanamide and then an amido body. 



The application of the theory I have here advanced to the 

 pathology of diabetes, of gout and of rheumatism is, I think, very 

 evident. But this, and the conditions which lead to the defective 

 metabolism associated with these disorders, will form the subjects 

 of discourse in another place next month. 



POSTSCRIPT. 



The question may reasonably be asked; — What becomes of the 

 glucose in the system, if lactic acid is not formed from it ? The 

 most natural answer seems to be, — that one change at least is 

 into alcohol and carbonic acid — 



C 6 H 12 6 = 2C0 2 + 2C 2 H 5 . HO 

 glucose alcohol. 



Startling as this view at first sight appears, the following points 

 nevertheless indicate that such a change is possible. 



Oxidised in the tissues alcohol may be converted into aldehyde 



