''92 



THE BEGINNINGS OF II FE. 



regards the 



But, after reflection on this subject, it seemed to me 

 quite within the range of probability^ that the difference 

 between acid and alkaline solutions as 

 number of organisms which are to be found in them 

 when they have been simply exposed to ordinary 

 atmospheric conditions, might be exaggerated after they 

 had been subjected to the temperature at which water 

 boils. It seemed quite possible that high temperatures 

 might be more destructive to organic matter contained 

 in acid solutions than when it existed in alkaline 

 solutions. Since the acid seems to exercise a certain 

 noxious influence even at ordinary temperatures^ so 

 it may be conceived that this influence^ whatever 

 its nature^ may be increased in intensity with the rise 

 of temperature^ and with the consequent greater facihly 

 for the display of chemical affinities. Hot acids will 

 frequently dissolve metals which would remain un- 

 affected by them at ordinary temperatures; and chemical 

 affinities generally, are notably exalted by an increased 



* 



amount of heat. Since the addition of an acid, there- 

 fore, to a previously neutral or slightly alkaline fluid 



containing 



organic 



matter in solution, appears to 

 alter its character in some mysterious way, we may 



organic 



assume that its action upon the unstable 

 molecules goes on increasing in intensity, as the fluid 

 becomes hotter. Thus, when two portions of a solution 

 containing organic matter — the one neutral and the 

 other acid — have been raised to a tem.perature of 2i2^F, 

 the organic matter of the one has been injured only 



i 



this tenip^^'-^' 





tftiocs 



or 



before t 

 less incr 



k feh temps' ' 

 in intern 



wease 



ifsoch high tern I 

 It precipitation 



imony 



w 



ith th 



iiJ the fluid ha; 



as not cause its 

 IS acid ', the albi 

 or even 1 



) 



( 



'I 



IS raised to th 

 '§ta liave been 

 of acid ' 



inous urine 

 tation 







Thus th 



( 



of 



acid 



e 



Is 



3 IS 



s 



'^^ature 



cam 

 alon 



Was 



