atom linking the two phenol groups, show a similar remarkable "renal affinity." The bromination of these compounds, both sulphonphthaleins and xanthones, almost completely prevents the excretion, but chlorination merely diminishes the excretion. Iodination prevents excretion or gives rise to elimination of the substance in a modified form. In view of the hitherto overlooked fact that numerous actively germicidal compounds lose their strength (due to an as yet unexplained cause) when simply diluted with urine in a test tube, the value of every drug used for the purpose of urinary antisepsis ought to be questioned until its antiseptic strength in urine has been experimentally demonstrated. It has been possible to establish a certain relationship between chemical structure and renal excretion, and to predict, with a reasonable amount of accuracy, which drugs will and which will not be excreted. The synthesis of germicidal compounds, very closely related to the types excreted, has been accomplished; one of these compounds, rhodamine, was excreted and would have been satisfactory but for the interfering action of the urine; another compound "mercury fluorescein," has been found to be rapidly excreted and to produce germicidal urine. It is hoped that these experiments may call attention to the inadequacy of the urinary antiseptics in general use, and stimulate interest in the possibilities offered by synthetic chemistry. The investigation is being continued and the properties of various related compounds are being studied. Some of these compounds are old and well known, and others are new and have been synthesized so as to contain various chemical groups which are known to possess desired biological properties. REFERENCES ABEL, J. J., AND ROWNTREE, L. G.: On the pharmacological action of some phthaleins and their derivatives, with especial reference to their behavior as purgatives. Jour. of Phar. and Exp. Ther., 1909, i, 231. CLARK, W. M., and Lubs, H. A.: The colorimetric determination of hydrogen ion concentration and its applications in bacteriology. Jour. of Bact., 1917, ii, 1. DAVIS, E. G.: A study of the antiseptic properties and the renal excretion of compounds related to phenolsulphonephthalein. Jour. of the A. M. A., 1918, lxx, 581. HENDERSON, L. J., AND PALMER, W. W.: On the extremes of variation of the concentration of ionized hydrogen in human urine. Jour. of Biol. Chem., 1913, xiii, 393. HINMAN, F.: Urinary antisepsis-A clinical and bacteriologic study. Jour. A. M. A., 1915, lxv, 1769. HORT, E. C.: The sterility of normal urine in man. J. Hyg., Cambridge, 1914, xiv, 509. KRAUSS, R. B.: The preparation of compounds of trypan red with iodin and other substances. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 1914, xxxvi, 961. LEWIS, P. A.: Observations bearing on the possibility of developing an experimental chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Bull. Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1917, xxviii, 120. Chemotherapy in tuberculosis. Am. J. M. Sc., 1917, cliii, 625. LYMAN, J. A., AND GILPIN, J. E.: Investigation on the sulphonphthaleins. Am. Chem. Jour., 1894, xvi, 513. REMSEN, I.: On a new class of compounds analogous to the phthaleins. Am. Chem. Jour., 1884, vi, 180. ROWNTREE, L. G., and GeraghTY, J. T.: An experimental and clinical study of the functional activity of the kidneys by means of phenolsulphonphthaleins. Jour. of Phar. and Exp. Ther., 1909, i, 589. SOHON, M. D.: An investigation of some derivatives of orthosulfobenzoic anhydride. Am. Chem. Jour., 1898, xx, 257. WHITE, E. C., AND ACREE, S. F.: On the quinone-phenolate theory of indicators: The electrical conductivity of solutions of phenolsulphonphthalein and of its bromo and nitro derivatives. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 1917, xxxix, 648. WHITE, E. C.: On the quinone-phenolate theory of indicators: the reactions of phenolsulphonphthalein and of some of its derivatives. Thesis, Univ. of Wisconsin, 1915. THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE HUMAN SEMINAL VESICLES ERNEST M. WATSON (From the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland) From the time of Fallopius (1) who first described the occurrence and position of the seminal vesicles, until comparatively recent years very little study has been given either to their function or anatomical detail. An increasing importance has of late been accorded these structures largely through appreciation of the rôle of chronic suppuration in relation to various systemic disorders. The knowledge concerning the development of the seminal vesicles is strikingly meager, and with the exception of the work of Pallin (2) in 1901 who studied four embryos in serial sections, there are very few examples of original observation on their development. Lowsley (3) in 1912, reporting his work on the development of the human prostate gland, refers briefly to the embryology of the seminal vesicles, stating that at birth each vesicle consists of five lumina in the upper part, all of which communicate lower down, the end duct finally connecting with the ampulla of the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct. In a more detailed study (4) the histologic and morphologic changes occurring in the fetal stages of the seminal vesicles have been reported at length. During the thirteenth week of intra-uterine life the first indication of the formation of the seminal vesicles is encountered. This is seen as a slight bulging or evagination of the lateral aspect of the Wolffian ducts at a level about 0.25 mm. above the beginning prostate gland. This out-pocketing is at first very slight and appears merely as a diverticulum of the Wolffian duct, having the same mucous lining, supporting membrane and sur THE JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, VOL. II, NO. 2 rounding layers of undifferentiated mesenchymatous cells as the Wolffian duct itself. These out-pocketings appear simultaneously and vary only slightly in size and level of origin. Their lateral diameter at this stage is always greater than their perpendicular height. As the sections of the earliest stage are carefully studied a definite furrow of demarcation is noted between the out-pushing or vesicle and the Wolffian duct. The constricting isthmus even in this earliest stage gives the vesicle an almost pedunculated appearance. FIG. 1. SPECIMEN 768c (CARNEGIE EMBRYOLOGICAL COLLECTION) Fetus 80.3 mm. long, thirteen weeks old. Reconstructed drawing from 75 serial sections showing the evagination of the Wolffian ducts to form the seminal vesicles. X 50. Between the thirteenth and fourteenth week a very appreciable growth takes place, for at the latter time the structures have become branched or bifurcated organs and have a dimension of approximately 1 by 0.5 mm. The lateral measurement is still greater than the perpendicular as in the earlier specimen. The picture of the vesicle now shows a fairly long chief or proximal . canal which joins the Wolffian duct practically at right angles. The distal extremity of the vesicle is forked or V-shaped, showing a very definite development of diverticula, while along the proximal canal the irregularities of early budding or pouch formation are readily made out. The histology of the vesicle has not changed perceptibly during this intervening period. Its |
