STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF ANAESTHESIA 
187 
It was found that the effects with all these substances, without exception, were 
comparable to those recorded above in detail for chloroform (Sections I and II). 
In all cases the maximum solubility in serum is much higher than in water, and 
at a certain strength of added anaesthetic short of saturation alteration in character 
of the proteid commences, and finally leads to precipitation. The precipitation 
commences earlier, and is more complete in some cases than in others. In the case 
of ethyl ether the precipitation is slight, but the serum becomes gelatinous on 
standing. 
The effects in each case may be briefly summarized as follows : — 
Ethyl ether 
Solubility in water at 1 5 0 C. = 8 - o per cent. 
Solubility in serum at 1 5 0 C. = iro per cent. 
At ten per cent, and over there was a slight opalescence, and the fluid began to 
grow gelatinous. Eleven per cent, completely dissolved, twelve per cent, not 
dissolved and at higher percentages, two phases separated, the layer on top forming 
a clear, thin jelly. 
Ethyl acetate 
Solubility in water at 1 5 0 C. = 7*9 per cent. 
Solubility in serum at 1 5 0 C. = 10 per cent. 
At eight per cent., complete solution of the ethyl acetate and commencing 
precipitation of the proteid occurred. Solutions of nine and of ten per cent, 
strengths also dissolved completely, separation into two phases occurred at twelve per 
cent., the upper layer being viscid. 
Amyl alcohol 
Solubility in water at 15° C. = 2-4 per cent. 
Solubility in serum at 1 5 0 C. = 8 per cent, or over. 
At three per cent, complete solution of anaesthetic with commencing precipitation 
of proteid, this precipitation gradually increased through concentrations of 3-5 and 
four per cent, up to eight per cent., when a thick cream was formed. A separation 
into two phases could not be observed at any stage. 
Amyl acetate 
Solubility in water at 15° C. = 0-25 per cent. 
Solubility in serum at 1 5 0 C. = 1-5 per cent. 
At one per cent, complete solution of anaesthetic with precipitation of proteid, 
at 1-5 all dissolved except a few minute globules. 
