FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
415 
Absorption of Insoluble Matter.— The Philadelphia 
Medical Times published an abstract* by Dr. Louis A. Duhring* 
of a series of experiments made by Dr. Auspitz* of Vienna* 
on the absorption of insoluble matter in mammals. The 
following are the conclusions arrived at:—1. That* in mam¬ 
mals* insoluble matter (starch-flour granules)* starting from 
the peritoneum and subcutaneous tissue* is able to reach the 
lungs* and through these organs to enter the general circula¬ 
tion. 2. That these granules* in order to go over into the 
veins* pass through the lymphatic system. (That they are 
taken up exclusively in this way is not as yet proved.) 3. 
That the epidermis always presents a considerable, though 
only relative and not absolute* obstruction to the absorption 
from the integumentary surface. 4. That the absorption is 
essentially promoted by the mediation of fat* which goes over 
into the circulation in the same manner as starch-flour* 
though even more easily. Finally* the supposition may be 
offered* even if the direct proof is provisionally deficient* that 
all that is true of starch-flour, and in a higher degree of fat* 
may also be asserted of other insoluble bodies of finer division 
and* therefore* less permanence of form than the starch-flour. 
The supposition is not in any way contradicted by the disco¬ 
veries of Auspitz* made in connection with his well-known 
inunction experiments with mercury. — 'Edinburgh Medical 
Journal. 
Analyses of Food-stuffs.— The food-stuffs analysed 
were principally average samples of the hay and oats used in 
eight first-class studs in Austrian Hungary ; of these samples 
the mean composition is given below* also the highest and 
lowest percentages found. The forest-hay is obtained from 
the Alpine regions; it is rich in aromatic herbs* and is highly 
valued. 
Food Stuff. 
Water. 
Protein. 
Crude fat. 
Crude fibre 
Non-nitrogenous 
extractive 
matter. 
ofS 
m £3 
S a 
w cq 
Xfl O 
<!o 
Potash. 
Phosphoric acid 
Hay,highest percentages... 
14-45 
14-43 
6-69 
33-33 
40-12 
7*86 
2-51 
•61 
Hay, lowest percentages ... 
11-30 
10-48 
3-74 
21-18 
29-99 
5-38 
1-55 
•35 
Hay, mean of eight samples 
13-13 
12-57 
4-86 
2859 
34-36 
6-48 
1-98 
•43 
Forest hay . 
14-56 
14-34 
4-69 
29-23 
13-39 
30-70 
56-24 
6-48 
4-84 
Oats, highest percentages... 
14-42 
18-51 
7-11 
•70 
•91 
Oats, lowest percentages... 
11-27 
10-10 
5-72 
9-81 
47-96 
3-08 
•38 
•68 
Oats, mean of ten samples . 
12-76 
14-08 
6-45 
11-24 
51-84 
3-62 
•55 
•78 
Potato refuse (spirit factory) 
96-05 
•79 
•23 
1-40 
1-12 
•41 
— 
— 
Iceland moss . 
15-04 
4-47 
5-79 
1-49 
72-03 
1-19 
" 
— 
—Journal of the Chemical Society . 
