20 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
[Biolog. 
Oae and a half drachms of the officinal tincture of the seeds of the Colchicum 
auiumnale were given ihree times in twenty- four hours, and continued for 
three days. During this period the food, exercise, &c., were as nearly as possi- 
ble the same as during the preliminary series. 
1st day. The quantity of urine passed on this day was 1595. 7 cubic centime- 
tres, with a specific gravity of 1024.37. The total solids amounted to 77.29 
grammes, the inorganic matter of which was 36.50 grammes, and the organic 
20.79 grammes. The reaction was stongly acid. 
2d day. Quantity of urine 1484.1 cubic centimetres, specific gravity 1024.31 ; 
total solids 75.22 grammes. The amount of inorganic matter was 35.01 gram- 
mes, and of organic 40.21. The reaction was very strongly acid. 
3d day. On this day the quantity of urine amounted to 1620 cubic centime- 
tres and was of 1022.06 specific gravity. The total amount of solid matter was 
79.33 grammes, of which 34.20 were inorganic and 45.13 organic constituents. 
Reaction strongly acid. 
It is thus perceived that the action of the colchicum, as compared with that 
of the other substances experimented with, was very remarkable, it being the 
only one with which there was an increase in the amount of solid matter elimi- 
nated, both organic and inorganic. 
From the foregoing experiments the following table embracing the averages of 
each aeries of investigations is constructed. 
Quantity 
of Urine. 
Specific 
Gravity. 
Total 
Solids. 
Inorganic 
. Solids. 
Organic 
Solids. 
Normal Standard. 
Digitalis. 
1474.5 
1822.8 
1024.30 
1015.87 
75.31 
67.00 
30.17 
31.54 
45.14 
35.43 
Normal Standard. 
Juniper. 
1237.5 
1763.2 
1022.50 
1016.28 
61.23 
61.50 
23.12 
25.03 
38.11 
36.42 
Normal Standard. 
Squill. 
1358 
1533.5 
1023.51 
1020.20 
69.35 
60.15 
27.22 
30.60 
42.13 
29.55 
Normal Standard. 
(Jolchicnm. 
1280 
1556.6 
1025.U8 
1023.58 
63.12 
77.28 
29.83 
35.23 
33.29 
1 42.04 
From the foregoing investigations, I think it is deducible that neither digitalis, 
juniper or squill, increases the total amount of solid matter eliminated by the 
kidneys, and that the organic matter is considerably reduced through their in- 
fluence. Although they do increase the amount of inorganic matter removed 
through the urine, yet as it is the organic matter which is generally considered 
as contaminating the blood in disease, it is evident they exert no effect what- 
ever in depurating this fluid, but on the contrary are positively injurious. 
The results obtained, in so far as the experiments with digitalis, squill or 
juniper, are concerned, are similar to those obtained by Krahmer, but are mate- 
rially diS'erent as regards the colchicum. For, although Krahmer found that 
under the influence of this medicine there was an increase in the amount of 
organic matter excreted, this was so small as to lead to the supposition that it 
may have been accidental, and besides there was a reduction in the quantity of 
inorganic substance removed. It is desirable, therefore, that we should have 
farther observations with this article. 
The alterations in the Constitution, proposed by Dr. Hammond, were read for 
the third time and adopted. 
Article 1st of the Constitution, as so altered, will read as follows : 
L Every resident member shall pay an initiation fee of two dollars. 
Article 2d, will read as follows : 
11. No person shall be entitled to the privileges of resident membership, 
until he shall have paid the fee of initiation, &c. 
[Nov. 
