1889.] Physiological Action of Seeds of Abrus precatorius. 95 



solution between 75° and 80° C. The albumose gave the general re- 

 actions of its class, and corresponded to what has been called by 

 one of us (M.) a-phytalbumose.* 



The physiological action of the globulin has been investigated by 

 us. It was isolated by the method detailed in the paper already 

 quoted. As the method employed is important, it is again mentioned 

 here. Both globulin and albumose were extracted from the decorti- 

 cated and crushed seed by a 15 per cent, solution of sodium chloride, 

 and the clear extract saturated with sodium chloride or ammonium 

 sulphate after acidulation with acetic acid. The copious saturation 

 precipitate consists of globulin and albumose : it is dissolved in dis- 

 tilled water, and dialysed in running water until the globulin is in 

 great part thrown down. The precipitate of globulin so obtained is 

 separated by nitration and washed on the filter with previously boiled 

 distilled water until no soluble proteid is present in the washings. 

 The distilled water removes the salt clinging to the globulin and the 

 small amount of albumose present. After this thorough washing the 

 globulin which remains on the filter is a pure proteid. It is removed 

 from the filter and dried over sulphuric acid. If it has been precipi- 

 tated by ammonium sulphate, the globulin dries in greenish-black 

 scales, owing to the admixture of colouring matter; but if sodium 

 chloride has been used, it is obtained as a whitish-yellow amorphous 

 powder. This was the powder used in our experiments. It consists 

 of pure globulin, almost completely soluble in 15 per cent, sodium 

 chloride solution. A small portion of the proteid became insoluble 

 after dialysing and drying over sulphuric acid. 



The solution used for injection was one made with 15 per cent. 

 NaCl solution, which was previously boiled and cooled. 



Physiological Action of the Globulin. The Globulin of the Seeds of the 

 Jequirity has the sam.e Physiological Action as the Watery Extract of 

 the Seeds and as the Proteid body "Abrin" described by Warden and 

 Waddell. 



Local Action. — A watery infusion of the seeds when placed on the 

 conjunctiva causes inflammation of the membrane with purulent dis- 

 charge. A similar effect is produced by " abrin," and precisely a 

 similar effect by the pure globulin. This severe local action of abrus 

 seeds we therefore ascribe to the globulin of the seeds. 



In one experiment, for example, about 0*002 gram of the pure 

 globulin was placed on the inner surface of the left eyelid of a large 

 rabbit. In 17| hours the conjunctiva was reddened and slightly 

 swollen ; there was no chemosis, but there was a clear serous 

 discharge from the eye. In twenty-four hours more there was intense 



* See " The Nature of Papain, &c," ' Journ. of Physiology,' vol. 6, p. 344 



