112 



Scientific Proceedings (58). 



The minimum uric acid concentration of the blood under the 

 influence of atophan varied among twelve individuals (normal, 

 gouty and arthritic) from 0.7 to 2.0 mgm. per hundred grams of 

 blood (initial values — 2.0 to 5.7). These minima are apparently 

 irreducible. In one case, the daily administration of 4 grams of 

 atophan for a period of 45 days failed to lower the uric acid 

 below 0.7 mgm. 



The initial concentration is restored within at least 2 to 4 

 days after the cessation of the use of atophan. 



Our studies upon the uric acid concentration of the blood under 

 various conditions are being continued, and will include the 

 influence of colchicum and the salicylates. 



With a radium emanation concentration of 2 to 4 M. U. per 

 liter of air, Gudzent 2 claims to have caused uric acid to disappear 

 from the blood for long periods of time. With our radium equip- 

 ment, designed to yield 4 to 6 M. U. per liter, there was no note- 

 worthy change in the uric acid concentration of the blood. We 

 desire, however, to reserve definite conclusions until we have com- 

 pleted further studies with radium emanation. 



69 (886) 



Some structural transformations of the blood cells of vertebrates. 

 By G. L. Kite (by invitation). 



[From the Henry Phipps Institute of the University of Pennsylvania.] 



The chief results of a study of structural transformations in 

 the living blood cells of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and 

 mammals are given in this paper. 



The blood cells were usually prepared for observation by 

 mixing fresh blood with Ringer's fluid containing sufficient 

 hirudin to prevent coagulation. 



Dark field illumination proved to be satisfactory for the ob- 

 servation of structural transformations in blood cells. 



The following five forms or phases may be assumed by verte- 

 brate white blood cells: 



I. The hyaline surface phase which is characterized by a 

 hyaline change and great increase in viscidity of the surface layer. 



1 Gudzent, Berl. klin. Woch., XLVIII (2), p. 2098, 1911. 



