104 Physiology and its Chemistry [January, 
tissues and fluids are not chemically combined with the 
organic principles.” The only exception he allows, in doubt, 
is alkali albuminate ; we had always thought bones, above 
all things, established the faCt that some at least of the 
inorganic substances are in rather strong combination with 
the organic principles, while, as a matter of faCt, so strong 
is the combination between kephalin (C 42 H 79 NPO I3 ) and cer- 
tain salts with which it is combined in brain-matter, by 
virtue of its alkaloidal constitution, that it can only be ob- 
tained in the pure state after the destruction of such combi- 
nations by hydrochloric acid, which has the power of uniting 
with it to form a hydrochlorate. 
We now come to a treatise by Prof. Karl B. Hofmann, of 
Graz,* and we find that in the 144 pages forming the first 
published half of this book there is more space devoted to 
the consideration of “ nuclein ” than to the whole brain 
chemistry. Moreover, although Thudichum’s researches on 
this subject have been published since March, 1875, he 
dismisses them with the following words : — “ Thudichum’s 
newly-published list of numerous compounds can here only 
find mention.” In keeping with such imperfection, we are 
not surprised to find the same errors that we have already 
pointed out as present in previously mentioned works. To 
be just, we will point out that whenever an opportunity is 
presented of entering into an enunciation of the structural 
chemistry of commonly well-known substances, the author 
never fails to do so ; as an instance of which eight pages 
are devoted to the structural formula of glycerin, a matter 
which is as far removed from any advance in physiological 
chemistry as any matter well can be. 
That our readers may not deem us unreasonable in de- 
manding for Thudichum’s researches in brain chemistry that 
respeCt which they merit, we would point out that, while 
our position has personally associated us with this work, we 
are obviously precluded from entering in any detail into the 
subject. We would nevertheless explain that it has been 
conducted, during a period of five years, on such a scale and 
in such a manner as can only be secured by the outlay of 
money in the power of Government alone to provide. As a 
consequence, it stands out pre-eminently as one of the 
greatest researches in physiological chemistry of modern 
time, and has given such an impetus to this science as has 
not been felt since the days when Wohler constructed urea, 
* Lehrbuch der Zoochemie, von Karl B. Hofmann, Prof, der Phys. Chem. 
au der Universitat Graz (Wien, 1876). 
