82(5 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
energetic an action; lycoctonine is about as energetic as 
acolyctine, the action of each being analogous to that of 
aconitine. No analytical numbers are given in the paper. 
Further experiments are given in a subsequent paper by 
the author, entitled “ On the Active Ingredients of Aconitim 
lycoctonum , on Aconitum napellus, and Morson’s Aconitine 
(Pseudaconitine).^ (N. Repert, Pharm., xv, 705.)— Ibicl . 
Composition of Urine. —In a paper recently published, 
Wanklyn gives the result of some interesting experiments he 
has made on the chemical examination of urine. Pointing 
out the fact that determinations of the specific gravity of 
urine are frequently faulty through inattention to the tempe¬ 
rature, and that a slight difference in specific gravity corre¬ 
sponds to a great alteration in solid contents, he recommends 
that they should be replaced or supplemented by the deter¬ 
mination of the solids left on evaporation, and the ash left 
on incineration. He also recommends operating on small 
quantities, and states that although the urine varies, the 
proportion between the organic matter and the mineral matter 
in healthy urine is remarkably constant. Thus, in five cases 
where 100 cubic centimetres of urine of healthy persons were 
examined, he found:— 
Mineral matter. 
Organic matter. 
Ratio. 
I.—P50 grams. 
253 grams. 
1 : 1-69 
II.—1-40 „ 
2-34 „ 
1 : 1*67 
III.—1-48 „ 
2*38 „ 
1 : 1*61 
IV.—0*60 „ 
0*80 „ 
1 : P33 
V.—2-00 „ 
2*40 „ 
1 : 1*20 
In these specimens the proportion of organic matter to ash 
never exceeded 1*7. But in some urine from a patient suffer¬ 
ing from a disease of the kidneys, the quantities of mineral 
and organic matters in 100 cubic centimeters were—mineral 
matter, 0*63 grains; organic matter, 2*03 grains: ratio, POO 
to o'QQ.—Ibid. 
New Method of Demonstrating and Measuring 
the Action of Pepsin. —In order to make the action of 
pepsin visible to a large class, the author recommends that 
a piece of thoroughly moist blood-fibrin be placed in 02 per 
cent, hydrochloric acid, till it swells up to a stiff jelly, and 
then laid on a funnel either with or without a filter. After 
the superfluous acid has drained off, a few drops of the diges¬ 
tive fluid, such as glycerin extract of pepsin are to be added 
to the jelly w r ith a pipette. In about two minutes the fibrin 
becomes liquefied by conversion into peptone, and begins to 
