82 



Prof. A. Gamgee. On certain Chemical [Mar. 13, 



(1.) Although solutions of oxy-hsemoglobin possess a low conduc- 

 tivity, this is very much higher than has been found in the previous 

 observations of Stewart, all of which were made at 5° C. 



(2.) The conductivity of solutions of oxy-haemoglobin increases 

 rapidly with increase of temperature, and undergoes remarkable and 

 permanent changes when the solution is kept for even short periods 

 at any temperature above 0° C. 



These results explain the impossibility of obtaining data which can 

 be considered reliable concerning the absolute specific resistance of solu- 

 tions of oxy-hsemoglobin. 



The following numbers expressed in reciprocal ohms represent the 

 mean of the author's results on the specific conductivity of solutions of 

 oxy-hasmoglobin : — 



1 



1. 



Contains 3 - 07 per cent, of 2 Hb 

 (or 1 gramme molecule in 

 542900 grammes). 



2. 



Contains 2*235 per cent, of 2 Hb 

 (or 1 gramme molecule in 

 745800 grammes). 



T. 



0° 



18° 



25° 



39° 



Conductivity. 

 10- 5 x 2-626 

 10- & x 4-432 

 10- 5 x 5-19 



Conductivity. 

 10- 5 x 2-23 

 10- 5 x 3-25 

 10- 5 x 4-27 

 10- 5 x 7-47 



4. The Results of the Electrolysis of Oxy-hannogloUn. 



1. Continuing the researches contained in his first communication 

 to the Royal Society on this subject, the author finds that when pure 

 solutions of oxy-haemoglobin are subjected to electrolysis, there occurs 

 a separation of oxy-hsemoglobin in a colloidal, but perfectly soluble 

 form. He has worked with currents of from 12 to 24 volts, and the 

 intensity of the electrolysing current measured by a milliampere-meter 

 placed in the circuit has varied in different experiments between 0*1 

 and 3 - milliamperes. 



2. By employing an electrolytic cell in which the anode is separated 

 from the kathode by an animal membrane (sheep's intestine or pig's 

 bladder), it is seen that the first action of the current is to cause a 

 separation of colloidal hemoglobin in the anode cell. This colloidal 

 haemoglobin falls as a beautiful red cloud, leaving a perfectly colour- 

 less, supernatant liquid. On stirring it instantly dissolves. 



3 The further action of the current is to cause a rapid and entire 

 transfer of the colloidal haemoglobin from the anode to the kathode 

 cell. With an electrolytic cell, of which each compartment had a 



