Separation of solids in the surface-layers of solutions and ‘suspensions’ (observations on surface-membranes, bubbles, emulsions, and mechanical coagulation).—Preliminary account

Abstract

In a paper published in Du Bois Reymond’s ‘Archiv für Anat. und Physiologie’ in 1894, I showed that mere agitation of various proteid solutions brought about a separation of some of their contained proteid in the form of fibrous or membrano-fibrous solids, and that it was possible in this way to coagulate and remove the whole of the proteid from solutions of egg-albumin. It was proved also that these de-solutions and coagulations of proteid were not due to the action of enzymes, heat, or surface evaporation, and were not appreciably affected by the nature of the gas in contact with the liquid or of the vessel in which the agitation was effected. A prolonged series of further experiments, undertaken with a view of ascertaining the precise cause of this phenomenon, has led me to the discovery of an important, but hitherto unnoticed physical fact:—namely, that, quite apart from evaporation, solid or highly viscous coatings are spontaneously, and more or less rapidly formed on the free surfaces of all proteid solutions.