EFFECTS ON THE ALIMENTARY CANAL 323 



vitamins (especially of vitamin B) produces in mice and rats a specific atrophy 

 of lymphoid tissue in general, including the agminated glands (Peyer's patches), 

 etc., in the intestine. Mottram, Cramer and Drew ('22) held that the functional 

 activity of the intestinal epithelium is profoundly affected by the presence of 

 vitamins A and B, especially the latter. There is, however, no delay in the 

 passage of food in the absence of vitamins. Lymphocytes also play an im- 

 portant role in the absorption of food. These results support the theory that 

 marasmus from dietary deficiency of vitamin B is due to impaired absorption 

 and assimilation of food from the intestine. 



Voegtlin and Lake ('19) in experimental polyneuritis of cats, dogs and rats 

 on diets deficient in vitamin B found degenerative changes in the intestines. 

 Lumiere ('20) and others have noted diarrhea and intestinal disorder in poly- 

 neuritic pigeons on polished rice diet. 



In human scurvy, Sato and Nambu ('08) observed punctate hemorrhages in 

 the intestinal mucosa; also ulceration, especially in the large intestine. Aschoff 

 and Koch ('19) mentioned scorbutic enteritis. Hart ('12) observed hemor- 

 rhages in the intestinal mucosa during infantile scurvy. Hess ('20) has reviewed 

 fully the literature concerning the changes in the intestine during scurvy. 

 The mucosa is frequently congested, and the solitary and agminated follicles 

 enlarged, sometimes hemorrhagic. These changes may progress to necrosis and 

 extensive ulceration, dysentery, etc. Hemorrhages may occur in any layer. 

 The intestinal epithelium appears edematous, often showing an increased 

 number of cells. 



In pigeons on a dry diet, Schuchardt ('47) found an average apparent loss of 

 56 per cent in the intestine weight, in comparison with only 34 per cent in the 

 gizzard. Pernice and Scagliosi ('95a) in a dog on dry diet found in the duodenum 

 changes similar to those before mentioned in the stomach. Hemorrhages were 

 more prevalent, especially in the submucous and muscular coats; also in many 

 lymph-nodules. The glands showed cystic changes. Mitoses were numerous, 

 especially in the glands of Lieberkiihn. The various lesions become less fre- 

 quent in passing toward the large intestine. 



