604 
DR. A. GAMGEE ON THE ACTION OF NITRITES ON BLOOD. 
gerated one) of the fallacious conclusions to which mere percentage analyses of the gases 
which have been in contact with blood may lead. The determination of the composition 
of the gas would, by itself, have led to the opinion that a large quantity of oxygen had 
been absorbed by this very venous-looking blood. An accurate knowledge of the total 
amount of gas before and after contact shows that this apparent diminution of oxygen 
was merely relative, and due to the dilution of the gases by the large amount of carbonic 
acid which had, on agitation, diffused out of the fully saturated blood. 
Y. In the experiments now to be described, pure defibrinated and strongly arterialized 
blood was placed in contact with a measured volume of atmospheric air. Shortly after 
a like quantity of the same blood, to which nitrite of potassium had been added, was 
placed in contact with nearly the same volume of atmospheric air in another tube. 
0 ) 
20 cub. centims. of thoroughly arterialized defibri- 
nated blood of the Sheep brought in contact with a 
measured volume for twenty-two hours. 
Vol. of air taken 337-6 vols. 
After contact for twenty-two hours . 331-08 „ 
After absorption of carbonic acid . . 324-5 „ 
After addition of hydrogen .... 483-9 „ 
After explosion 295-4 ,, 
Carbonic acid .... 1-98 
Oxygen 18-98 
Nitrogen 79-04 
100-00 
Yol. of air taken . . =37-6 c. c. at 0° and 0 m -76. 
O in air taken (calculated) . . 70-76 vols. 
O remaining 62-84 „ 
7-92 „ 
O absorbed by 20 cub. cen- i 0-9 c. c. at 0° C. and 
tims. of arterialized blood J 0 m, 76. 
(*) 
20 cub. centims. of the same blood as that used in 
(a) had 0-02 grm. of pure KN0 2 added to them, and 
were then brought in contact with air for twenty 
hours. 
Yol. of air taken 348-2 vols. 
After contact for twenty-two hours . 349-3 „ 
After absorption of carbonic acid . . 346-8 „ 
After addition of hydrogen .... 527"3 „ 
After explosion 319-21 „ 
Carbonic acid .... 0-71 
Oxygen 19-85 
Nitrogen 79-44 
100-00 
Yol. of air taken . = 38-8 c. c. at 0° C. and 0 m, 76. 
O in air taken (calculated) . . . 72-98 vols. 
O remaining 69-36 „ 
3-62 „ 
O absorbed by 20 c. c. of ) 
arterialized blood treat- v 0-4 c.c. at0°C.and 0 m -76. 
ed with KN 0 2 . . ) 
VI. In the two experiments now to be described it was determined to take two 
portions of the same blood, to one of which a certain quantity of distilled water was 
added, and to the other the same quantity of water holding nitrite of potassium in solu- 
tion, and to place these in tubes of the same capacity in contact with the same volume 
of atmospheric air, and then, in order to give the greatest possible facilities to the gas 
to act upon the blood, to subject them to prolonged and thorough shaking. For obvious 
reasons a mechanical contrivance must be devised if it be desired either to shake two 
tubes to the same extent or to continue the process of shaking for many hours. The 
instrument which I have employed for this purpose is merely a modification of a very 
ingenious piece of apparatus which was suggested by Mr. C. H anbury, Jun., for washing 
photographic prints. It consists of a tin box, ABCD, well balanced and swinging freely 
