38 



Studics on Watcr Drinking 



[Oct. 



Since these analyses were all made at the same time, using the 

 same centrifuge and the same technique, and uniformly higher re- 

 sults were obtained in the case of subject V throughout, it would 

 appear that no hard and fast value can be laid down for the daily 

 excretion of fecal bacteria. The questions of individuality, diet, 

 and speed of centrifugation are important factors in bringing about 

 the final results. 



The relationship of urinary indican to fecal bacteria. 

 Urinary indican is considered to be an index of intestinal putre- 

 faction. If it is a true index then the relationship of the urinary 

 indican excretion to the Output of fecal bacteria ought to be of inter- 

 est. For this reason the indican content of the urines from the sub- 

 jects of this investigation was determined (21). A modification of 

 Ellinger's method was used. Table 3 summarizes the corresponding 

 values for indican (mg.) and bacterial nitrogen (gm.). 



TABLE 3 



Relation between urinary indican and fecal-bacteria nitrogen 



The data in Table 3 indicate that copious water-drinking pro- 

 duced a marked reduction in the processes of intestinal putrefaction, 

 as measured by the urinary indican Output. The excretion of bac- 

 terial nitrogen in the feces was practically at its minimum simulta- 

 neously with the low indican values. In the period following the 

 "high water" Ingestion, this uniformity of relationship is lost inas- 

 much as the indican values undergo a sharp rise, whereas the bac- 

 terial values are increased only slightly. 



