1876.] On the Physico- Chemical Theory of Fermentation, ^c. 149 



XIV. " Researches illustrative of tlie Physico-Chemical Theory of 

 Fermentation^ and of the conditions favouring iVrchebiosis in 

 previously Boiled Fluids/^ — No. I. By H. Charlton Bastian, 

 M.A.^ M.D., F.R.S.^ Professor of Pathological Anatomy in 

 University College^ London^ and Physician to University 

 College Hospital. Received May 25_, 1876. 



(Abstract.) 



The author first calls attention to the fact that no previous investi- 

 gator has professed to have seen well-marked fermentation set up in 

 urine that had been boiled for a few minutes, if it has thereafter been 

 guarded from contamination. The previous invariable barrenness of this 

 fluid after boiling has been ascribed by germ-theorists to the fact that 

 any organisms or germs of organisms which it may have contained were 

 killed by raising it to the temperature of 212° P. (100° C). 



In executing some of the experiments wdth urine described in this com- 

 munication, two chemical agents have been brought into operation under 

 novel conditions, and an ordinary physical influence has been employed 

 to an entirely new extent. In several respects, therefore, these new 

 experiments differ much, as regards the conditions made use of, from 

 those hitherto devised for throwing light upon the much-vexed questions 

 as to the possible origin of fermentations independently of hving 

 organisms or germs, and as to the present occurrence or non-occurrence 

 of Archebiosis. 



The chemical agents employed under new conditions in these experi- 

 ments were liquor jjotassce and oxygen — both of them being well kno^^n 

 as stimulants, if not as promoters, of many fermentative processes. 



It has been recognized by several investigators of late years that 

 neutral or slightl]^ alkaline organic fluids are rather more prone to undergo 

 fermentation than slightly acid fluids. This fact may be easily demon- 

 strated. As the author pointed out in 1870, if two portions of an acid 

 infusion are exposed side by side at a temperature of 77° P. (25° C.) 

 fermentation may be made to appear earlier and to make more rapid 

 progress in either of them by the simple addition of a few drops of 

 hquor potassse ; on the other hand, if a neutral infusion be taken and 

 similarly divided into two portions placed under the same conditions, 

 fermentation may be retarded or rendered slower in either of them at 

 will by the simple addition to it of a few drops of acetic or some other 

 acid. 



A neutral or faintly alkahne organic solution can in this T^-ay be 

 demonstrated to possess a higher degree of fermentability than an other- 

 wise similar acid organic solution. It seems, therefore, obvious that the 

 changes capable of taking place in toiled acid and neutral solutions 

 respectively should also vary considerably. Numerous experiments by 



