Analysis of a biliary concretion : and on a new method of preparing biliverdin / by Dr. T. L. Phipson.
- Thomas Phipson
- Date:
- [1867]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Analysis of a biliary concretion : and on a new method of preparing biliverdin / by Dr. T. L. Phipson. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.
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![[Jtej)rintedfrom the Journal of the Chemical Society, September, 1867.] ANALYSIS OF A BILIARY CONCRETION; AND ON A NEW METHOD OF PREPARING BILIVERDIN. By Dr. T. L. Phipson, F.C.S., &c., Member of the Chemical Society of Paris, c The natm-e and composition of the various products contained ill bile, or resulting from its decomposition, have, during the last twenty-five years, given rise to sa much discussion, that any facts which may help to throw light on this subject cannot fail, I believe, to be serviceable to science. I have, therefore, the honour of communicating to the Chemical Society the present account of the properties and analysis of a peculiar biliaiy concretion, as an introduction to an investigation of biliverdin with which I am now occupied. This concretion was extracted fi-om the liver of a pig a few months ago by Mr. James Forrest, F.C.S., who kindly for- warded the specimen to me for examination. It was of con- siderable size, being about three inches in length, and two inches wide, and was entirely sm-rounded by a thin membrane, which isolated it from the tissue of the liver. Its substance is heavier than water, and has a compact structure, without any trace of crystallisation, more or less concentric, of a waxy appearance, and of a yellowish colom-, which is neither bright nor uniform, until the substance is pulverised, when it appears as a brilliant yellow powder, similar to chromate of lead. This powder was found to be very slightly acid to blue litmus paper, and very little acted upon by water, alcohol, ether, benzol, and various other solvents, hot or cold. It is not volatile without decomposition, but melts and swells up, and afterwards takes fire, biu-ning with a long fuliginous flame, exhaling an odour identical with that which is produced in the same circumstances by certain resins, or when common varnish is burnt. Concentrated sulphuric acid colours it first red and crimson, and tlien dis- solves it with a magnificent emerald-green colom-. From this solution water precipitated a green resinous substance, which was found to be biliverdui. Ether extracted from the sub- stance of the concretion a little grease and some cholesterin,](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21472403_0005.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
