1014] CURRENT LITERATURE 535 
clusions are a decided departure from the usual conceptions regarding enzyme 
action. Probably the most striking departure is the assumption that different 
enzyme actions may be attributed to different atomic groups of the same 
e; for example, malt diastase is also capable of cytase and peroxidase 
poses. With ifications excluded in special instances and stripped of 
details, the general method may be described as few drops of the 
enzyme mixture to be analyzed are placed upon filter paper 
y capilla 
attraction a circular field is formed in which the dissolved substances arrange 
themselves in more or.less distinct zones. In the case of colloidal substances, 
a greater spreading and separation is effected if a water ring is first placed upon 
the filter paper. Diffusion forces then come into play as well as capillary 
attraction. Diffusion is rendered more active if the solution to be analyzed 
contains a little glycerine. After spreading ceases, the capillary field is cut 
into sectors and each treated with a different reagent which gives a color 
reaction for a specific enzyme. The diastase test, for example, is carried out 
by placing firmly a sector of the capillary field upon a similar piece of filter 
extent of the diastase in the field are then shown by a white area bordered by 
the blue-violet color of the starch iodine reaction. For peroxidase a sector 
is inten ie guajak+H, 035 for — violamin is employed, etc. The 
t b ther to form the “‘chromogram,’’ which shows 
the distribution or relative spréadina of the different enzymes in the capillary 
eld. If the same area is capable of more than one enzyme action, the author 
believes that it is due to a complex enzyme and not to the coexistence of differ- 
ent independent enzymes. He also believes that he has further confirmed his 
theory by showing that certain complex enzyme actions of capillary analysis 
appear also simultaneously in germination and are simultaneously destroyed 
by a given treatment of the enzyme preparation. 
enzymes of various embryos and endosperms, potato tubers, fungi, 
yeast, and latex were extensively studied with-the aid of the capillary method, 
together with microchemical tests. The following are a few of the author’s 
most important biological inductions: The enzymes and their anti-enzymes 
form systems in which the members oscillate around an equilibrium position. 
Upon these systems, which deserve the designation Tréger des Lebens, rests the 
synthesis and disintegration of the cell substances. The most important sys- 
tem is the group of oxidizing enzymes: oxidase+peroxidase+antioxidase 
devine Antioxidase is simply a general term indicating any inhibi- 
tion of an oxidase action. The antioxidase yee is probably cesT = 
many different kinds of substances which are not a an enzy 
