254 



THE VIT AMINES 



amino acids, but not in the proper proportion to each other and, 

 in addition, was poor in vitamine A and salts. While this was found 

 to be the case in rats, Weill and Mouriquand (729) were able to 

 maintain pigeons on whole corn for more than 240 days, whereas 

 decorticated or sterilized corn produced severe disturbances. Voegt- 

 lin, Lake and Myers (I.e. 690) found that whole corn contains suffi- 

 cient vitamine B for pigeons. However, if they fed the same corn 

 with the biggest part of the aleurone layer and germ removed the 

 pigeons and chickens developed, in about 3 weeks, a disease similar 

 to beriberi which could be cured by giving vitamine B. Voegtlin, 

 Sullivan and Myers (730), as well as Hughes (731), also obtained 

 similar results. 



FIG. 54. CROSS-SECTION OF CORN KERNEL 

 A, endosperm., B, husk, C, germ 



Steenbock and Boutwell (I.e. 588) showed, contrary to the ruling 

 view that corn is poor in vitamine A, that certain strongly yellow 

 colored varieties are quite rich in this vitamine. In connection with 

 this, we wish to emphasize once more that corn is a complete diet for 

 most species of birds. It is different with mammals, for which corn 

 is not so favorable, and this fact is now generally attributed to the 

 low biological value of the corn proteins, although, inasmuch as corn 

 contains a protein that is adequate for birds, it is incorrect to speak 

 of the low biological value of corn proteins. In experimenting with 

 mammals, particularly those that can develop scurvy, we must not 

 forget that corn, at least when dry, contains no C vitamine. This 



