Again, all _nucleins_ contain a _phosphoric_ acid group, and Futcher found that the curve of the uric acid output ran in a striking parallel with that of phosphoric acid. But the attempts of subsequent investigators to show that the two end-products of nuclein disintegration—uric acid and phosphoric acid—go hand-in-hand prove contradictory. Hence Wells, in regard to phosphoric elimination, observes that, “it seems probable that it shows no characteristic alterations in gout.” Lastly, we will recall to the reader that in the chapter on protein metabolism it was pointed out that the _amino-acids_, especially _glycocoll_, are found in excess in “gouty” urines. In conclusion, it must, we fear, be admitted that the results of _urinary analyses_ have proved insufficient of themselves to unravel the intricacies of metabolism in gout, and, after a brief digression, we shall proceed to ascertain whether, on the other hand, chemical analysis of the _blood_ by modern methods can in any way shed further light on this obscure problem. PURIN METABOLISM IN OTHER DISORDERS Working at the Research Hospital for the Study of Special Diseases at Cambridge, Strangeways (1910) commented on the striking resemblance that obtained between certain cases of so-called _rheumatoid arthritis_ and gout, as evidenced by X-ray findings and section of the joints. Their similitude in these respects suggested that the nature of the apparent kinship of the two disorders might be elucidated by a study of _purin metabolism_ in instances of rheumatoid arthritis. To this end Ackroyd studied the purin metabolism in eleven persons, the victims of rheumatoid arthritis. His conclusion was that there was no important variation from the normal. To quote his own words, he states that “it may be (1) completely normal, or (2) while normal as regards endogenous excretion, the period of increased uric acid excretion which follows the administration of hypoxanthine may be prolonged for more than four days. It is more likely that this effect is individual, than that it is characteristic of any particular form of the disease, excepting those cases in which the prolongation is accompanied by active manifestation of the disease.”