1877.] 



Sugar in relation to the Blood. 



351 



from the unnatural state induced by the anaesthetic. Without occasion- 

 ing any disturbance of tranquillity the two vessels were now drawn for- 

 ward by means of loose threads which had been placed around them, and 

 openings made to allow of the escape of blood. The respective specimens 

 of blood were thus collected at the same moment ; and, before coagulation 

 had time to occur, the process of analysis was commenced. The following 

 were the results obtained : — 



Sugar per 1000 parts. 



Carotid artery. Jugular vein. 



a. -806 ") qi -• f a. -808 ] ,~ Qa , s 



b. -817/ ' 811 Oean). h . 7g8 j "798 (mean). 



a. -8541 , Q , Q a. -863] . S7Q 



b. -873/ Sbd » b. -896/ 7 " 



I must allow these results to speak for themselves. The circumstances 

 I have alluded to have prevented my obtaining a larger number for this 

 communication. Taking the evidence as it stands, it is not clearly appa- 

 rent that any decided difference exists in the amount of sugar contained 

 respectively in arterial and venous blood. More observations, however, 

 shall be made, and the results communicated at a later period. Mean- 

 while, it may be confidently looked upon as settled that Bernard's repre- 

 sentation is shown to be erroneous. 



I have now to refer to the spontaneous change ensuing in the blood 

 after removal from the system. Bernard, in his recent writings (Comptes 

 Kendus, 19 Juin, 1876, p. 1406) has drawn attention to this subject, and 

 represents the rate of disappearance of sugar to be such as to give weight 

 to his results regarding the extent of destruction alleged to occur in the 

 systemic capillaries during life, contending, as he does, that the joost 

 mortem phenomena observed, both as regards sugar-formation and sugar- 

 destruction, stand as representations of the natural actions of life. The 

 following is the record he has given of the results derived from an ana- 

 lysis of a sample of blood at different periods on a warm summer's day : — 



Sugar per 1000. 



Analyzed immediately 1-070 



after 10 minutes 1010 



after 30 minutes "880 



„ after 5 hours *440 



after 24 hours '000 



The results derived from the observations conducted in my laboratory 

 with the gravimetric process of analysis furnish evidence of a very different 

 nature. Subjoined are the particulars relating to five observations made 

 during the present year at the dates mentioned. 



VOL. XXVI. 



2b 



