466 Proceedings Columbia Biochemical Association [April-July 



A. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS ON RESEARCH BY NON-RESIDENT 



MEMBERS 



127. The Stimulation of the gastric secretion in the human 

 stomach by means of water. Olaf Bergeim, M. E. Rehfuss 

 AND P. B. Hawk. {Lah. of Physiol. Chem., Jefferson Med. Coli., 

 Phila.) A number of experiments have been made on individuals 

 with normal and pathological stomachs. The data indicate that 

 water produces a pronounced Stimulation of the gastric secretion. 

 In some instances 200-500 cc. of water were given on an empty 

 stomach and portions of the fluid were withdrawn from the stomach 

 at 5-15 minute intervals until the stomach was empty. In other in- 

 stances, the water was given 2-3 hr. af ter an Ewald test meal, i. e., 

 when the stomach was empty. The Rehfuss tube was used in these 

 tests. This tube is similar to the Einhorn tube with the exception 

 of the tip which is much heavier and so slotted as to permit of more 

 satisfactory withdrawal of samples of juice. 



Determinations of total acidity, free acidity, and pepsin content 

 were made. In general the acidity increases progressively after the 

 introduction of water and reaches its maximum in 45 min. to ij^ hr. 

 afterward. The most pronounced acidity thus far obtained was one 

 of 119.5 (in terms of m/io sodium hydroxid sol.) secured 50 min. 

 after the introduction of 500 cc. of cold tap water (10.5° C). The 

 peptic activity also increases under the influence of the water. 



A general investigation of gastrointestinal secretions obtained 

 with this tube is under way. 



128. Isolation of vitamin from rice polishings. Allan C. 

 EusTis AND L. C. Scott. {Lab. of Dietetics and Nutrition, Med. 

 Dep't, Tulane Univ., New Orleans, La.) Funk found that the sub- 

 stance which cured pigeons of the so-called Polyneuritis gallinarum 

 could be precipitated by phosphotungstic acid. This precipitate, de- 

 composed with barium hydroxid, yielded on evaporation in vacuo a 

 residue containing the curative principle. He found, further, that 

 the residue freed from purin bases with excess of silver nitrate and 

 made alkalin with powdered barium hydroxid gave a precipitate. 

 This, decomposed with hydrogen sulfid and concentrated, yielded 0.4 

 gm. of crystals, which proved to be very active and which he called 

 vitamin. The method of preparation is that used for isolating mem- 



