THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 
263 
were in the nature of Life any such subtle thing, it would be sure 
not to manifest its presence in connection with unstable elements. 
That can never stand. Besides, if it were so clearly, as Haeckel, 
and Biichner seem to make out, a question of elements entering 
into compounds, it is singular that combinations are not formed of 
the actual elements which are found by analysis to enter into 
living matter so as to issue in Life. 
The next question of fact is that Protein lies at the base of all 
organic compounds, and can be produced by the chemist 's skill, I 
have stated the view of one side ; but we ought not to overlook 
what others have said in reference to the point in question. The 
term Protein was first applied by Mulder to a precipitate consisting 
of a gelatinous substance devoid of sulphur, and obtained from 
Albumenoids by boiling and adding acetic acid. He held this to 
be the fundamental compound in the albumenous substances, in 
each of which it was contained with different small proportions of 
sulphur, phosphorus, and salts. The question as to what Protein 
is, and what its relation to Albumenoids, is one for analytic, 
chemistry ; and the question as to whether it can be artificially 
produced is one of fact. And that being settled, the next is, 
whether the artificial product is of the same kind as the matter 
essential to the existence of Life, and is a cause of vital 
phenomena. All that is proper for the present occasion is to note 
what authorities have to say. Gregory, in his Organic Chemistry, 
page 316, denies that this theory of Protein being the base is 
demonstrated, and assigns six formal reasons against it. So that 
even though Mulder, and Bastian who follows in that direction, 
can indirectly produce Protein, which = C 48 , H sl , N 5 , 0 12 , it does 
not follow that it is an organizable compound as understood by 
Gregory. Moreover, Kane, in his Chemistry, page 666, says in 
reference to the same, "The Protein I consider not with Mulder 
as the basis of our tissues, but as the simplest product of their 
decomposition. It enters into combination with acids and with 
bases, as indigo and morphia, which I look upon as totally foreign 
to the character of a body possessed of vital properties." Also 
Miller, in his Organic Chemistry, part III., p. 745, speaking of 
Albumenoids, says, " Owing to the complexity of their composi- 
tion no satisfactory rational formula can at present be assigned to 
them; and owing to their indisposition to crystallize, great 
difficulty is experienced in obtaining them in a state of purity, 
vol. x. t 
