260 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



dioxide content are under 1.50 per cent and the degree of accuracy required is 

 higher than that obtainable with the portable Haldane apparatus. The 

 apparatus has been applied to the determination of the respiratory quotient 

 in the metabolism studies with fasting steers at the New Hampshire Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station. Its accuracy has also been tested by the analysis 

 of samples from a stream of air from burning alcohol and acetone whose com- 

 bustion quotients (CO2/O2) are 0.667 and 0.75, respectively. Miss Marion 

 L. Baker has performed most of the analyses. 



Standardization of gas-analysis and respiratory-exchange apparatus. — In 

 ordinary respiratory exchange neither the total quantities involved nor the 

 respiratory quotient is constant. In order to simulate these conditions, a 

 method and apparatus have been devised by Dr. Carpenter for producing 

 variations in oxygen consumption and carbon-dioxide output, and in the ratios 

 between the percentage of carbon dioxide and the percentage of oxygen deficit 

 in a continuous current of air. The arrangement can be used for standardizing 

 gas-analysis apparatus and methods of measuring the quantity of expired air. 

 The control substances thus far used have been burning ethyl alcohol and 

 acetone. Mr. E. L. Fox has assisted in this work. In this connection a study 

 has been begun to determine the best form of pipette, the most efficient 

 absorbent for oxygen, and the best method for its preparation. One of the 

 forms of the laboratory type of the Haldane gas-analysis apparatus has been 

 tested with special reference to the analysis of compressed oxygen and oxygen- 

 rich mixtures, such as occur in the Benedict portable respiration apparatus. 

 These tests have been carried out by Miss Mary F. Hendry. 



Effect of alcoholic beverages containing 2.15 per cent alcohol by weight. — Dr. 

 W. R. Miles, in the early part of the current year, continued the experiments 

 on the effect of beverages with an alcohol content of 2.75 per cent, which was 

 referred to in the annual report for 1921. Later, with the assistance of Mr. 

 E. S. Mills and Mr. Fox, he elaborated the data for a final report. 



Application of Dreyer's physical standards to college women. — The depart- 

 ment of hygiene at Wellesley College has for some years made regular and 

 extensive physical examinations of the women in their freshman and sopho- 

 more classes. The past year, cooperating with Dr. E. C. Howe of Wellesley 

 College, Dr. Miles was given an opportunity to suggest and introduce measure- 

 ments in addition to their usual routine. The Dreyer recommendations and 

 standards have been employed with a view to securing data for determining 

 the usefulness of these methods. 



Static equilibrium and the motor control of women. — The station test as carried 

 out with the ataxiameter developed in this Laboratory has been used by Dr. 

 Howe and Dr. Miles in making measurements on women subjects, to ascertain 

 the influence of footwear, clothing, bodily position, and other factors on motor 

 control. This work has been in progress at Mary Hemenway Hall, Wellesley 

 College. 



Temperature of the skin. — The special technique for measuring the tempera- 

 ture of the skin, which was developed at the Laboratory, has been used in 

 making extensive additions to our data on the temperature of the human 

 skin. These measurements were taken under the clothing and also when the 

 body was nude and exposed to still air, or air moving at different velocities 

 and with different temperature environments. Special attention was given 



