THE ANTIBERIBERI VITAMINE 207 



death is hastened because of it. Regarding the action of tethelin, 

 when one considers its method of preparation, it may contain vita- 

 mine as an impurity. Dutcher, Holm and Bierman (511) tested 

 various indol derivatives of thyroxin and found them active, but 

 their findings require further corroboration. To complete our data 

 on this question, we may mention that it was impossible for Chamber- 

 lain, Vedder and Williams (I.e. 64) and Abderhalden and Schaumann 

 (I.e. 499) to influence beriberi by the administration of known sub- 

 stances, and especially a mixture of amino acids. Viewing all state- 

 ments to the contrary in a critical light, we must recognize that 

 vitamine B has a well defined and specific action, and it is not to be 

 substituted by other products. 



PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF ANTIBERIBERI VITAMINE 



To draw a general picture of the nature of beriberi, we see, first of 

 all, a very definite retardation of the life processes, 7 similar to that 

 observed in inanition. In this respect, Ramoino (538) showed that 

 in rice-fed pigeon, the respiratory quotient is very low but may be 

 raised again by an addition of vitamine. Similar observations were 

 made by Jansen and Mangkoewinoto (539). This is evident also 

 in McCarrison's (I.e. 300) investigations of avian beriberi, in which 

 he described pathological changes in the intestines and some glandular 

 organs. In hunger, however, the whole organism is attuned to 

 endure the least possible loss of energy and substance. On the 

 other hand, in experimental beriberi only a diet free from or poor in 

 vitamines is fed. In this way, energy is expended, digestive juices are 

 secreted and the assimilative processes are continued. At present, we 

 are not quite in a position to set forth the primary causes of the whole 

 disturbance. It is not yet possible to say, of the pathological con- 

 ditions observed in this disease, which may be regarded as primary 

 and which secondary. We only know that the animal requires a 

 minimal amount of vitamine in order to regain its normal condition. 

 With one stroke, the entire condition is altered, and it can hardly 

 bo, believed that this is brought about by such a small quantity of 



7 In accord with this, there are the observations of Drummond (I.e. 33 

 and Abderhalden (I.e. 500) on the subnormal temperatures of beriberi 

 pigeons. 



