704 
PROFESSOR HARLEY ON THE INFLUENCE OF 
It is thus seen that the presence of an abnormal amount of uric acid in blood hastens 
the chemical decompositions and transformations upon which the absorption of oxygen 
and exhalation of carbonic acid depend. 
Animal Sugar. 
As an illustration of the action of animal sugar upon blood, the following experi- 
ment may be cited. To a third portion (62 grammes) of the same blood as was used 
in the two preceding experiments, 04 gramme (6 -2 grains) of sugar obtained from the 
urine of a diabetic patient were added. The sugar was first made into a syrup with a 
small quantity of distilled water, and then mixed in a mortar with the blood. In order 
to avoid all possibility of error, the pure blood, as before stated, was treated in the same 
way with distilled water alone. Result : — 
No. 34. — In 100 parts of air. 
Oxygen ... 15 01 j/p ota j oxygen 16-62 
Carbonic acid . 1*61 / 
Nitrogen . . . 83-38 
It is here seen that the animal sugar had the effect of retarding the respiratory 
changes produced in atmospheric air by blood, less carbonic acid being exhaled, and a 
smaller amount of oxygen absorbed ; just the opposite effect as was observed to follow 
the addition of uric acid to blood. 
The subjoined Table shows this more distinctly. 
Sheep’s blood. Twenty-four hours. 100 per cent, of air. 
Oxygen. 
Carbonic acid. 
Nitrogen. 
Total oxygen. 
Pure blood 
13-90 
1-95 
84-15 
15-85 
Blood plus uric acid 
13-17 
2-62 
84-21 
15-79 
Blood plus sugar 
15-01 
1-61 
83-38 
16-62 
Action of Vegetable Products on Blood. 
Hydrocyanic Acid. 
The following are examples of the influence of hydrocyanic acid on the action of 
blood on the respiratory gases. 
A quantity of perfectly fresh ox-blood was taken and carefully switched until freed, 
as far as possible, of its fibrin. After being thoroughly arterialized, it was then divided 
into several portions of 62 grammes each, and treated in the usual manner in a room of 
moderate temperature during twenty-four hours. 
Pure defibrinated ox-blood with 100 per cent, of atmospheric air. Twenty-four hours’ 
action. Result : — 
