236 DR. ARTHUR RANSOME ON THE 



(3) the age of the individual, (4) the period of the day, and 



(5) the extent of breathing; then follows, in millegrams, 

 the amount of free ammonia, or ammoniacal salt, determined 



(6) directly (by the Nessler test) and (7) by distillation with 

 carbonate of soda. A column (8) is then provided for any 

 difference between these two readings, gi\^ng the ammonia 

 from urea or other matters decomposable by the weak alkali. 

 The ammonia obtained by oxidation of the organic matter 

 comes next (9), then the total amount of ammonia obtained 

 (10), and finally a calculation of the quantity of ammonia 

 to be obtained from 100 minims of the fluid collected. 



The number of examples I have collected is still small ; 

 but I have brought them forward now in the hope that 

 others might be induced to undertake the same in- 

 quiry. 



It is one which requires many observers ; and I think 

 that the results, so far as they have been obtained, justify 

 the attempt to enlist others in the service. 



1. Healthy Breath. — The breath of 11 healthy persons 

 was examined, and the quantity of aqueous vapour was as- 

 certained in 7 instances. The persons examined were of 

 different sexes and ages ; and the time of the day at which 

 the breath was condensed varied. 



It may be observed that the amount of free ammonia 

 varies considerably, and I have not, so far, been able to 

 connect the variation with the time of the day, the fasting 

 or full condition. 



It has been stated by more than one observer, that urea is 

 sometimes present in the breath ; it was therefore sought for 

 in 15 cases, 3 healthy persons and 12 cases of disease ; but it 

 was only found in 2 cases of kidney disease, in i case of 

 diphtheria, and a faint indication of its presence occurred 

 in the breath of No. 8, Table III., a pregnant female suf- 

 fering from catarrh*. 



* No albumenuria was present in these two cases. 



