EFFECTS OF INANITION ON THE BODY AS A WHOLE 113 



Simmonds ('21) in rats; by Drummond ('16) in chicks; and by Emmett and 

 Allen ('19) and Emmett, Allen and Sturtevant ('20) in frog tadpoles (see 

 also Fig. 45). 



Although Eijkman ('97) observed that in some cases there was no emaciation 

 in the body of adult chickens, even at death from polyneuritis, this appears to be 

 exceptional. Marked loss in body weight during polyneuritis in chicks and 

 pigeons was noted by Tasawa ('15) and others. The loss in body weight on diets 

 deficient in vitamin B is so marked (frequently 40 per cent) and constant that 

 many investigators believe it is due to the associated deficient food-intake 

 (incomplete total inanition). This view is shared by Karr ('20), Simonnet ('20), 

 Lumiere ('20a, '20b), McCarrison ('21), Hoffman ('22), and others. For exam- 

 ple," No varo ('20), in substantial agreement with Findley ('20), found that in 

 pigeons on polished rice diet the body weight, temperature, heat loss and food- 

 intake remain constant for 7-13 days. Then they decline in the following 

 order: heat loss; food-intake; body weight; temperature. The body weight 

 was found to decrease in polyneuritis even more rapidly than in fasting (total 

 inanition). 



Hoffman ('22) found that polyneuritic pigeons on polished rice diet, modified 

 so as to be deficient only in vitamin B, nevertheless lose weight as during total 

 inanition. In both cases, recovery was made upon refeeding with adequate 

 diet. Gotta ('23), however, modified the diet so as to produce polyneuritis with 

 but slight loss in body weight. 



Vitamin C. Scorbutus. — The historical development of our knowledge of 

 scurvy has recently been reviewed by Hess ('20) and Vaughan ('23). It was 

 perhaps the first human disorder to be recognized as a definite deficiency disease, 

 due to the lack of fresh vegetables or antiscorbitic fruit juices in the diet 

 (Ronsseus, 1564; Kramer, 1720). More exact knowledge dates from the recent 

 experimental production of scurvy in the guinea pig by Hoist and Frolich ('07, 

 '12). The essential factor was designated as the "water-soluble C " vitamin by 

 Drummond ('19). Emmett and Peacock ('22) find that the requirement of 

 chicks for vitamin C is much less than for A and B. The rat even thrives upon 

 diets devoid of vitamin C, possibly because it may be synthesized in the body of 

 this animal (Parsons '20). 



As to the changes in body weight, Hoist and Frolich found, during experi- 

 mental scurvy in young guinea pigs, usually stationary weight for 1-2 weeks, 

 followed by rapid loss, averaging 30-40 per cent, rarely reaching 50-60 per 

 cent. Dogs were found susceptible, but negative results were obtained on mice, 

 rats and cats. Similar results were noted by more recent investigators. 

 Findlay ('21b) found that rabbits deprived of vitamin C gradually lose weight 

 and die without signs of scurvy, although the offspring born during this period 

 may show hemorrhages in the joints and viscera. The weights of Bessesen 

 ('23) for scorbutic guinea pigs are shown in Table 12. For curves by Chick and 

 Hume ('17) showing loss of body weight in the guinea pig during scurvy, see 

 Fig. 46. Growth may continue during the first 2 or 3 weeks, but a later marked 

 decline is constant. Cohen and Mendel ('18) likewise found that scorbutic 

 symptoms (tender and swollen joints) often appear while the guinea pigs still 



