386 Messrs. Parkes and Wollowicz on the Effect of [May 19, 



we do not affirm), that these experiments do not warrant any assertion that 

 the alcohol interferes with such metamorphosis. The phosphoric acid was 

 in fact unaffected even by such large quantities as 454 cub. centims., or not 

 much less than \ litre of absolute alcohol in 48 hours. 



The chlorine was in larger quantities in the latter period of the experi- 

 ments ; but whether this was owing to the alcohol is doubtful. As the 

 chlorine also passes off by the skin and bowels, variations in the amount 

 eliminated by these channels affect the urine. On the 10th of February 

 cold weather set in, and continued until the 18th ; and it seems probable 

 that some lessened action of the skin caused more chloride of sodium to 

 pass in the urine. 



The free acidity appeared to be increased in the alcoholic, and still more 

 in the brandy period ; but whether the increase is large enough to take it 

 out of the limits of usual variation is not certain. It seems singular, if 

 alcohol increases the free acidity, that on the two days when 8 fluid ounces 

 were taken each day, the acidity was less than two days in the first period, 

 and less than on the second alcoholic days, when only 2 ounces of alcohol 

 were taken. 



The acidity during the three brandy days was, however, high throughout, 

 and it fell afterwards considerably, so that probably brandy does somewhat 

 increase the acidity. 



It is noticeable that the febrile attack on the twelfth day, which so in- 

 fluenced the nitrogen, and caused a large deposit of urates, was without 

 influence on the free acidity. 



On the whole, it may be concluded that the influence of alcohol on these 

 three urinary constituents is inconsiderable. 



The Alvine Discharges. 



The discharges from the bowels were weighed every day ; they were 

 always natural except on the two first days, when there was some looseness. 

 On those days the stools were rather liquid, and weighed 13| and 

 1 1 \ ounces. Excluding these discharges, themean numbers areas follows : — 



Weight in ounces Weight in 

 avoirdupois. grammes. 



First period (water, last 6 days) .... 4*81 136*6 



Second period (alcohol) 3*8 107*9 



Third period (water) 3*04 86 34 



Fourth period (brandy) 5*35 166 



Fifth period (water) 3*41 96 8 



The nitrogen was determined twice, viz. on the fifth day (water), and on 

 the 12th day (6 ounces of alcohol); it amounted to J*639 and 2 087 

 grammes respectively. 



The alcohol, therefore, did not lessen the elimination of nitrogen by the 

 bowels ; and, considering the usual great variations in the weights of the 

 stools from day to day, it is probable that it did not lessen their amount. 



