448 



Dr. W. Marcet on the Nutrition of 



nearly the same in every one of these analyses, the mean pro- 

 portion being for 100 grms. : — 



Phosphoric acid. 



Potash. 



Total. 



Colloid. 



Total. 



Colloid. 



1 



0-55 



1 



0-24 



This is a very remarkable law of nature, apparently connected 

 with the nutritive properties of the vegetables analyzed. It cer- 

 tainly establishes a very interesting relation between the compo- 

 sition of certain vegetable substances destined to the nutrition of 

 animals. 



On the Constitution and Nutrition of Muscular Tissue in Phthisis. 



The state of emaciation to which the human body is so fre- 

 quently reduced in consumption is a certain indication that in 

 that disease the formation of muscular tissue is deficient; and 

 it occurred to me that the nature of the change the nutrition 

 of flesh undergoes in consumption, and the cause of this pheno- 

 menon, might be determined by an inquiry similar to that which 

 had been instituted with regard to the nutrition of muscular tissue 

 in health. Of all the symptoms of consumption the wasting 

 of the muscles is one of the most serious ; and when attended 

 with a high temperature of the body and a very deficient appe- 

 tite, which is often the case, there is but little hopes of stay- 

 ing the progress of the disease; while, on the other hand, even 

 where extensive mischief in the lungs is obvious, if the appetite 

 and digestion remain good, with a low temperature, and should 

 there be but little loss of fiesh, there is a fair prospect of the 

 disease being arrested. 



The subject for our present consideration is the nature 

 of the change in the nutrition of muscular tissue which is pro- 

 ductive of the emaciation. Now the nutrition of flesh in con- 

 sumption may be either abnormal or merely deficient. If it be 

 abnormal, the constituents of muscle will be altered in their 

 relative proportions ; should it be merely deficient, the propor- 

 tions of their constituents will be the same, but their absolute 

 quantities will be less. We find that the nutrition of muscles in 

 consumptive subjects is abnormal as to the quantity and condi- 

 tion of the water present, amounting to 166*5 instead of 154 

 for 200 grms. of flesh in health. On exaaiining the muscular 

 tissue of consumptive individuals, it will usually be observed, 

 especially when there is much emaciation, to be wet and 

 soft, instead of firm and dry as in the case of death from 

 other diseases. It is therefore fair to conclude that the water 

 in muscular tissue after death from consumption, besides being 



