SERUM FERMENTS AND ANTIFERMENT AFTER FEEDING : STUDIES ON FERMENT ACTION. XXI.

1. After feeding, an increase in non-coagulable nitrogen of the serum can be determined, reaching a maximum in about six hours. 2. This increase is greatest in the portal blood and is partially due to an increase in amino-acids. There is no increase in proteoses. 3. There is usually a progressive decrease in serum protease, reaching a minimum after from five to seven hours. 4. The portal blood may show an unaltered or an increased amount of protease. 5. The serum antiferment shows a slight increase, but is subject to considerable fluctuation. 6. The serum lipase (esterase) shows a slight increase, reaching a maximum after three hours. The hepatic blood usually contains the lowest concentration of lipase.