414 The Specific Conductivity of Solutions of Oxyhemoglobin. 



time, in terms of that of mercury, the conductivity of a column of mercury 

 106'3 cm. in length and 1 sq. mm. in cross-section being taken as unity. 

 Since the resistance of a column of mercury of these dimensions at 0° C. is 

 an ohm, the unit of conductivity was spoken of, for the sake of brevity, 

 as a reciprocal ohm. This unit is 10* times smaller than the unit now 

 employed. All my results must therefore be multiplied by 10 4 to express 

 them in the new unit. The further factor 1-063 by which it is necessary to 

 multiply conductivities expressed as the reciprocals of resistances measured 

 in Siemens units must not be applied to my results. It is perhaps worth 

 while stating this, as Hober,* in transposing some of my results to the new 

 unit, multiplies not only by 10 4 but also by T063. This is erroneous. 



The specific conductivity of a 3 - 5-per-cent. solution of oxyhsemoglobin at 

 5° C. was given by mef as - 90 x 10 -8 , and that of a 1'2-per-cent. solution} 

 as 0-53 x 10~ 8 . In the new unit these numbers would be 090 x 10~ 4 and 

 0-53 x 10 -4 , i.e., 9 x 10~ 5 and 5*3 x 10~ 5 respectively. Now for a 3-07-per-cent. 

 solution of oxyhemoglobin Prof. Gamgee gives as the conductivity at 0° C. 

 2-626 x 10- 5 , and at 18° C. 4-432 x lO" 5 . For a 2'23-per-cent. solution of 

 oxyhsemoglobin he gives at 0° C. 2-23 x 10~ 5 , and at 18° C. 3-25 x lO -5 . 

 Although he does not use the symbol K, and merely states that his numbers 

 are " expressed in reciprocal ohms," it may be assumed that he meant to give 

 them in the new unit. Accordingly, it would appear that the conductivities 

 observed by him, instead of being very much higher than mine, are really 

 lower, which is perfectly intelligible. 



* ' Physikalische Chemie der Zelle und der Gewebe,' 1st edit., p. 132. 

 t ' Journ. Physiol.,' 1899, vol. 24, p. 358. 

 % Ibid., p. 359. 



