On certain physical and chemical properties of solutions of chloroform and other anæsthetics. -A contribution to the chemistry of anæsthesia. (Second communication)

In a previous communication we have shown (1) that chloroform has a much higher solubility in serum or hæmoglobin solutions than in water or saline; (2) that at the same vapour-pressure of the chloroform the amount dissolved in serum or hæmoglobin solution is considerably higher than in saline or water; (3) that the curve of chloroform vapour-pressure and concentration in solution in the case of water and saline is a straight line, while in the case of serum and hæmoglobin solution it is a curve showing association at the higher vapour-pressures; (4) that in the case of serum addition of chloroform causes an opalescence and a show precipitation at room temperature (15ºC.), and at body temperature (40ºC.) a rapid, though incomplete, precipitation, also in the case of hæmoglobin, 1.5 to 2 per cent. of chloroform causes a changes of colour and commencing precipitation at room temperature, which becomes almost complete in the thermostat at 40ºC., while 5 per cent. and over causes complete precipitation, even at 0ºC. In our previous paper we also recorded the relations between chloroform vapour-pressure and concentration of the anæthetic in solution for water, saline and serum, throughout a range from below the anæthetising value to nearly saturation, and gave curves illustrating these relationships.