NUTRITION LABORATORY. 265 



respiration, and pulse by the end of the third minute of walking, and for the 

 most part in the first 30 seconds. After walking ceased, the recovery was not 

 so prompt, the effect of the walking persisting for a considerable period. 



(9) The comparative concentrations of alcohol in human blood and urine at intervals after 



ingestion Walter R. Miles. Jour. Pharm. Exp. Therap., vol. 14, p. 265 (1922). 



This research grew out of the question whether the alcohol-content of urine 

 is identical with that of venous blood ' and if these parallel the intensity of 

 intoxication or alcohol effect following the ingestion of one dose. The 

 Widmark-Nicloux method of alcohol determination has been employed and 

 men representing abstinents, moderate drinkers, and habituals have been 

 tested. During the first 20 or 30 minutes after the ingestion of 27.5 grams 

 absolute alcohol taken in 1,000 c. c. of fluid, the urine alcohol is about the 

 same or a little higher than that in the venous blood ; then for one hour or more 

 it is 30 to 50 per cent higher. The same weight of alcohol taken in a concen- 

 trated solution produces a definitely higher alcohol concentration in both blood 

 and urine than when taken in a much more dilute solution. The plasma con- 

 tains a higher alcohol content than the corpuscles in the ratio of about 2 to 1, 

 but the urine is usually higher than the plasma. Subjects habituated to alcohol 

 absorb the 2.75 per cent dose about the same as non-habituated individuals. 

 Changes in the amount of urine per minute do not perceptibly influence the 

 concentration of alcohol in the urine. Both venous blood and urine reach 

 their maximum alcohol concentration together, and while not identical, the 

 urine curve appears very useful for comparison with the time relations of the 

 objective measurements of the alcohol effect on the central nervous system. 



(10) Psychological tests applied to diabetic patients. W. R. Miles and H. F. Root. Arch. 



Intern. Med., vol. 30 (1922). 



It is well known that diabetic patients frequently complain of poor memory 

 and power of attention, but objective proof of this has been lacking. By 

 certain psychological tests used with such cases, as well as with suitable con- 

 trols, it was found that diabetic patients with hyperglycemia and glycosuria at 

 the beginning of treatment show a decrement of about 15 per cent in memory 

 and attention tasks. The loss is in amount rather than in quality. With 

 treatment the diabetic improves rapidly in his psychological status, approach- 

 ing normal. In motor tests for accuracy and quickness of movements, five 

 treated diabetics, each case of long duration, were 20 per cent below normal. 



(11) Three-plane orientation clamp. W. R. Miles. Jour. Optical Soc. America and Review 



Sci. Instr., vol. 6, p. 374 (1922). 



A combination slow-motion clamp suitable for adjusting writing-points, 

 etc., is described. All three motions are free from back-lash, are practically 

 independent of each other, and, as shown by diagrams, have considerable 

 ranges of movement. 



