INFLUENCED BY RADIUM. — CHEIGHTON. 43 



A saturated solution of amyg'dalin in water, was subjected 

 to the action of radium rays for four days. At the end of that 

 time part of the solution was tested with Fehling's solution f<;)r 

 glucose. Not the least trace of glucose was found to be present. 

 Another part of the solution was boiled with ammonium poly- 

 sulphide, and after the excess of the latter had been removed 

 by boiling, a few drops of dilute ferric chloride were added. 

 As there was no change in colour hydrocyanic acid was inferred 

 to be absent. Solutions of amygdalin were acted u]ion by 

 radium for different lengths of time up to ten days, with the 

 same result as al)Ove. 



Although on boiling the solution of amygdalin, which had 

 l>een under the influence of radium for a time, with a few drops 

 of Fehling's solution, the copper was not reduced, thus showing 

 the absence of glucose, the blue colour due to the co]>per, almost 

 disappeared, a whitish or pale l)lue gelatinous orecipitate was 

 fonned, and a fairly strong odour of ammonia was given off. 

 If more than a few droj>s of Fehling's solution were added to 

 the amygdalin, the blue colour did not disappear on l)oiling. 

 When Fehling's solution was added to an ordinarv solution of 

 amygdalin, it was found that the same chanoes took ]ilace on 

 boiling, exce{)t that the solution of amygdalin which had not 

 been acted upon l)y radium, was not able to discolour as much 

 Fehling's solution as was a solution that had been acted upon 

 by radium. These changes miisr be due to some reaction taking 

 place betwc*eu the amygdalin and the Fehling's solution, or one 

 or more of its constituents ; these reactions are more complete 

 when the amygdalin has been under the influence of radium 

 for a time. 



Amygdalin si)lntions were boiled with the constituents of 

 Fehling's solution combined in all possil)le ways, but it was 

 only when they were present so as tl^ fonu Fehling's solution 

 that the above results were obtained. "When a solution of 

 amygdalin was; l>oiled with caustic potash alone, ammonia was 

 given off but no ])recipitate was formed. 



