ON  FERMENTATION. 
443 
Whether  Dr.  Browne's  chlorodyne  contains  more  or  less  than 
is  represented  in  the  above  formula  I  cannot  say,  neither  do  I 
attempt  to  assume  decsively  upon  this  point.  Of  course  it  is 
possible,  although  I  deem  it  improbable,  that  it  may  contain 
some  subtle  ethereal  compound  undetected  by  either  chemist  or 
physiologist ;  and,  although  my  formula  contains  belladonna, 
— thus  differing  from  Mr.  Smith's, — I  am  quite  sure  that  the 
fair,  impartial,  and  accurate  clinical  observer  must  feel  assured 
that  chlorodyne,  prepared  according  to  Mr.  Smith's  formula, 
does  contract  the  pupil^  thus  differing  from  Dr.  Collis  Browne's  ; 
that  chlorodyne,  prepared  according  to  my  formula,  does  not 
contract  the  piipil^  thus  agreeing  in  its  action  with  Dr.  Collis 
Browne's  ;  these  observations  applying  only  to  ordinary  doses. 
— Pharm.  Journ.^  Land.,  June  15,  1870. 
Medical  Chih,  May  mh,  1870. 
ON  FERMENTATION. 
By  Mr.  James  Bell. 
A  series  of  experiments  has  been  instituted,  and  is  still  in 
progress,  to  determine  the  forms  of  natural  ferment  w^hich  albu- 
men, derived  from  different  sources  and  under  various  conditions, 
will  give  rise  to. 
Albumen  of  eggs  was  introduced  into  a  cane-sugar  solution, 
and  the  mixture  allowed*  to  ferment  at  a  temperature  of  75°  F. 
Fungoid  cells,  different  from  those  of  yeast,  were  formed,  and 
possessed  of  very  little  fermentative  power,  inasmuch  as  only  0.2 
per  cent  of  alcohol  were  produced  in  this  sample. 
Albumen  of  flour  and  malt,  in  a  cane-sugar  solution,  gave  rise 
to  the  development  of  a  fungoid  mycilium,  and  consequent  pro- 
duction of  cells  and  spores  similar  to  those  obtained  by  albumen 
of  egg.  These,  too,  were  of  very  little  fermentative  power.  The 
albumen  in  this  case  was  prepared  by  coagulation,  and  then  by 
precipitation.  When  albumen  of  the  first  kind  was  brought  into 
the  sugar  solution,  the  liquid  very  soon  contained  parasites,  and 
became  rapidly  acid.  If  albumen  obtained  by  precipitation  with 
alcohol  was  employed,  the  solution,  even  after  a  week,  was  free 
from  parasites,  and  also  of  acidity. 
