88 



Messrs. Partes and Wollowicz on the 



[Recess, 



It seemed improbable that alcohol, taken so long before, could be still 

 passing off ; and if not, then the perspiration may at times contain some 

 non-alcoholic substance capable of reducing the bichromate. 



The perspiration of the arm was condensed on the 10th day (before 

 wine), on the 19th day (during wine), and on the 26th, 28th, and 30th 

 days (after wine). In all cases an extremely marked green reaction was 

 at once given. 



We conclude, therefore, that fresh experiments are necessary with re- 

 gard to the correctness of the bichromate test, when applied to the con- 

 densed perspiration. 



Elimination by the kidneys. 



The examination was conducted in the same way as on the former occa- 

 sion, the urine being first distilled, the distillate tested with the bichro- 

 mate test, and if no reaction was given redistilled. 



The following Table gives the results : — 



Days. 



Reaction with bichromate. 



1st distillate. 



2nd distillate. 



6th day (water) 



15th day (wine, 10 oz.) ... 

 16th day (wine, 20 oz.) ... 

 18th day (wine, 20 oz.) ... 

 20th day (wine, 20 oz.) . . . 



22nd day (water) 



27th day (water) 



A very slight and scarcely 

 perceptible change. 

 No change. 

 No change. 

 No change. 

 Slight. 

 None. 

 None. 



A very slight change, scarcely 

 to be affirmed*. 

 No change*. 

 No change*. 

 Slight. 

 Marked. 

 None. 

 None. 



We conclude from this Table that when 10 ounces of wine (containing 

 1*1 ounce of absolute alcohol) were taken, no alcohol passed into the urine. 

 On the 16th day, when 20 ounces ( = 2*2 ounces of absolute alcohol) were 

 taken, none was found in the urine ; the next day no examination was 

 made, but on the 18th day alcohol was detected, and two days later the 

 reaction was marked. Two days after the wine was left off no alcohol was 

 found. 



Therefore, when this man took 2 ounces of absolute alcohol day after 

 day, some of it was eliminated by the urine. When he took only 1 ounce, 

 none was eliminated during the space of five days. If, as has been sur- 

 mised by Dr. Anstie, the appearance of alcohol in the urine indicates that 

 there is an excess in the body, it seems clear that this man cannot take 

 much more than 1 ounce without the urine giving evidence of it, and 

 thereby proving excess. It soon disappeared from the urine, certainly 

 on the 2nd day (the first day's urine was not examined), whereas, on the 

 former occasion, when a much larger quantity had been taken, it could be 

 detected five days after it had been discontinued. 



* Tested also with the Iodoform test. No reaction. 



