380 



Prof. A. Gamgee and Mr. A. Croft Hill. [Jan. 31, 



The tube employed in all the sets of observations measured 

 1 decimetre. 

 Three sets of observations were made. 



Observed Specific 

 angle. rotation (a)c. 



1. Mean of first set of observations .. . + o, 12 + 9 0, 8 



2. second set of observations + o, 125 + 10 o, 2 



3. „ third „ „ + 0°-1225 + 10°-0 



From the above observations we conclude that the specific rotation 

 of Oxy-hsemoglobin for light of the mean wave length of C, 

 (a) c = +10°-0±0°-2. 



B. CO-Hcemoglobin. 



The diluted solution of CO-hsemoglobin, previously referred to, was 

 employed. This solution contained 0'92 gramme of CO-hsemoglobin 

 in 100 c.c. 



Two sets of observations were made with this solution • in the first 

 set a tube 1 decimetre long, and in the second a tube 2 decimetres 

 long being employed. 



Length Observed Specific 

 of tube. angle. rotation (o) c . 



1. Mean of first set of observations 1 decim. +0 o, 098 + 10 o- 65 



2. „ second,, „ 2 „ +0°-203 +11°'03 



Taking the mean of the two series of observations we obtain as the 

 specific rotation of a solution containing 0*92 gramme of CO-haemo- 

 globin in 100 c.c. 



( a ) c =+10°-8. 



When the feeble rotatory power of haemoglobin is considered, the 

 agreement between the results of the investigation of the rotatory 

 power of Oxy- and CO-hsemoglobin must be considered satisfactory 

 and as pointing to the conclusion that the molecule of oxygen or 

 carbonic oxide in combination with haemoglobin does not influence its 

 specific rotation. The correctness of this conclusion has been 

 established by direct experiment. 



C. The same Solution of Haemoglobin saturated with and with CO 



Compared. 



With the object of determining by direct experiment whether the 

 dissociable combinations formed by O and by CO with haemoglobin had 

 any influence on its specific rotation, the solution of Oxy-hsemoglobin 

 which served for three sets of observations recorded under A, and 

 which contained 1*223 gramme in 100 c.c. of water, was again experi- 

 mented with. One portion of this solution was saturated with 



