74 



Scientific Proceedings (89). 



conjugated with sulphuric acid and none with glycuronic acid, 

 the 0.5 gm. thymol would be excreted as 0.766 gm. of thymol sul- 

 phuric acid. This would cause a marked increase in the percentage 

 of ethereal sulphates in the urine. If the detoxicating power of the 

 liver were below par, the thymol would not be conjugated, and 

 the percentage of ethereal sulphates would be only slightly different 

 from what it had been on the first two days — before the thymol 

 administration. 



We have found that this detoxicating function of the liver 

 usually runs parallel with the other functional derangements of 

 this organ. In some cases, however, the conjugating power of the 

 gland is markedly reduced, whereas the other functions do not 

 show any disturbances as determined by the methods at our dis- 

 posal. In still other cases the sulpho-conjugation is entirely 

 normal (as determined by the test here described), while the other 

 tests show a reduction of hepatic functional capacity. 



It is possible that each individual cell of the liver tissue takes 

 part in all of the liver functions; it is also possible that different 

 portions of the liver lobule, and different conglomerations of liver 

 lobules may have specific functions. In the former case, it is most 

 likely that a reduction in the ability of the liver to perform one 

 function will be accompanied by a proportional reduction in all the 

 liver functions; in the latter case one or more functions of the liver 

 may be disturbed without affecting the other hepatic functions. 



It is essential, in studying hepatic disease to examine all the 

 functions of the liver by the various methods at our disposal, and 

 it is important to examine the detoxicating power of the liver 

 before drawing any conclusions as to the type and extent of hepatic 

 involvement. 



154 (1332) 



The relation of the intestinal flora to the scurvy of guinea pigs 



and of infants. 



By J. C. Torrey and Alfred F. Hess. 



[From the Department of Health, New York City.] 



The question recently has been raised as to whether scurvy in 

 guinea pigs and in human beings is due to constipation and to the 

 putrefactive activity of the bacteria in the intestinal tract. In 



