ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 
IX. 
main defences used against abnormal molecular configurations in the 
diet of all animals were oxidation, reduction, conjugation. Sometimes 
combinations of two or more methods were used. For example, nitro 
benzaldehyde had the nitro group reduced to an amino group and the 
aldehyde to acid which finally conjugated with glycine. The method of 
administration, the amount used and the frequency of treatment all 
influence the type of metabolite produced and it is therefore important 
in all detoxication studies first to define the conditions of the tests 
accurately. 
Mr. H. J. G. Hines dealt with detoxication mechanisms in man. 
He said that detoxication as ordinarily understood was called into play 
to deal with: — (a) what might be called ordinary or normal substances 
occurring in the food or produced in the intestine and ( b ) extraordinary 
substances introduced as drugs or encountered by reason of the subject’s 
occupation. These latter often called for special studies and he gave 
some recent examples of such investigations. Added point had been 
given to the study of the detoxication of aromatic hydrocarbons since 
their carcinogenic properties had been discovered. Detoxication is 
largely brought about by the liver and the hippuric acid conjugation 
test is now extensively used as a test of liver function. 
Mr. S. Wright stated that the detoxication mechanisms used by 
herbivora conform with the more modern theories which assert that 
detoxication is to be regarded, not as a special branch of metabolism 
provoked to action when foreign molecules enter the body, but as part 
of the process leading to complete oxidation. The view is taken that the 
detoxified substances isolated from the urine are the portions of the 
metabolite which have escaped oxidations only because of the rapidity 
of excretion. To support this view the methods used by the rabbit in 
detoxifying vanillin, and by the rabbit and the sheep in detoxifying 
menthol and phellandrene were discussed. Comparisons were made 
between the methods used by the rabbit in detoxifying citral and 
citronellal, the latter probably undergoing cyclisation in the stomach. 
The recent work dealing with the excretion of selenium from selenised- 
animals following administrations of brom-benzene was discussed. 
Abstract of Proceedings, 25th June, 1945. 
The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the 
Geology Department of the University on Monday, 25th June, at 8 p.m., 
with the President (Prof. H. J. Wilkinson) in the chair. About fifty 
members and friends were present. The minutes of the previous meeting 
were read and confirmed. Miss M. Grice, and Mr. T. Whalley were 
elected to Ordinary Membership. Mr. I. F. B. Common was proposed 
for Ordinary Membership. 
Mr. H. J. G. Hines exhibited the root of Denhamia pittosporoides and 
a specimen of the pigment extracted from it. The properties of this 
latter agree with those described for celastrol, the pigment of Celastrus 
scandens, which is identical with tripterine, the pigment of Tripterygium 
wilfordii Hook f . The powdered roots of the latter plant have been used 
in China for centuries as an insecticide ( J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1942, 64, 
182). 
