412 



Properties of Solutions of Chloroform. [Apr. 12, 



(c) The curve of pressures and concentrations in the case of water 

 and saline is a straight line, while in the case of serum and haemoglobin 

 solution it is a curve, showing association at the higher pressures. 



(d) In the case of serum, chloroform causes a marked opalescence, 

 and also a slow precipitation at room temperature (15° C), and at 

 body temperature (40° C.) a rapid, though incomplete precipitation. 

 In the case of haemoglobin, 1*5 — 2 per cent, of chloroform causes 

 a change of colour and commencing precipitation at room temperature, 

 which becomes almost complete in the thermostat at 40° C, while 

 5 per cent, and over causes complete precipitation even at 0° C. 



2. The relations between chloroform pressure and concentration 

 in solution have been worked out throughout a long range, from below 

 the anaesthetising values (8 — 10 mm.) to nearly saturation in the case 

 of water, saline, and serum. 



Attention may be drawn here to the important practical fact that 

 with the same percentage of chloroform in the air breathed, serum or 

 haemoglobin, and therefore the blood, will take up much more chloro- 

 form than would water or saline under equal conditions. Thus at the 

 anaesthetising pressure, and at 40° C, the coefficient of distribution in 

 the case of water and saline is approximately 4*6, while that of serum 

 is 7'3 • at room temperature (15° C.) these coefficients become 8*8 and 

 17 "3 respectively. 



