Hand-book of physiology / by W. Morrant Baker and Vincent Dormer Harris.

Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hand-book of physiology / by W. Morrant Baker and Vincent Dormer Harris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    889/930 (page 859)
    From the Alimentary Canal (fceces) .... 4 per cent. ,, Lungs . . . . . . . . 20 ,, ,, Skin (perspiration) . . . . . 30 ,, Kidneys (urine) . . . . . . . . 46 ,, 100 Sodium and Potassium Chlorides are present in nearly all parts of the body. The hn'iuer .seems to lie especially necessary, judging from the instinctive craving for it on the part of animals in wliose food it is deficient, and from the diseased condition ■\vhicli is conseqnent on its withdrawal. In the l)]ood, tlie quantity of chloride of sodium is greater than that of all its other saline ingredients taken together. In the muscles, on the other hand, the quantity of chloride of sodium is less than that of the chloride of potassium. Calcium Fluoride, in minute amount, is present in the bones and teeth, and traces have been found in the blood and some other fluids. I Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, and Magnesium Phosphates are found in nearly every tissue and tluid. In some tissues—the liones and teeth—the phosjihate of calcium exists in very large amount, and is tlie principal source of that hardness of texture, on which the jiroper ]ieiforniance of their functions so much depends. The phosphate of calcium is intimately incorporated with the organic basis or matrix, but it can be removed by acids without destroying the general shajie of tlie bone ; and, after the removal of its inorganic salts, a bone is left soft, tough, and flexible. Potassium and sodium 2'hospliates with the carbonates, maintain the alkalinity of the blood. Calcium Carbonate occurs in bones and teeth, liut in much smaller cpiantity than the phosphate. It is found also in some other parts. The small concretions of the internal ear (otoliths) are com- posed of crystalline carbonate of calcium, and form the only example 1 if inorganic crystalline matter existing as such in the body. Potassium and Sodium Carbonates are found in the Idood, and some other fluids and tissues. Potassium, Sodium, and Calcium Sulphates are met with in small amount in most of the solids and fluids. Silicon.—A very minute quantity of silica exists in the urine, and in the blood. Traces of it have been found also in bones, hair, and some other parts. Iron.—The especial place of iron is in hajmoglobin, the colouring- matter of the blood, of which a further accorint has been given with tlie chemistry of the blood. Peroxide of iron is found, in very small quantities, in the ashes of bones, muscles, and many tissues, and in lymph and chyle, albumin of serum, fibrin, bile, and other fluids ;