FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 371 



no cbaiijre was nottnl in the uietabolisui of phospliorus. The absoriition of 

 calcium was dimhiishetl 5 per cent and the absorption of magnesium increased 

 8 per cent. The flsh period was especially characterized by an increased excre- 

 tion of calcium in the urine of nearly GO per cent and of magnesium of nearly 

 44 per cent, in comparison with control periods. 



The bearing of such facts upon invalid dietetics is discussed. 



Daily menus for the school year and a dietary study for October ( Cheyney, 

 Pa., I'JOO, pp. '/iS). — It is stated that for o years the attempt has been made at 

 the Institute for Colored Youth (Teachers' Training School) to furnish the 

 pupils with properly balanced and wholesome meals at low cost, and in connec- 

 tion with this work the daily menus for the school year 1907-8 have been pub- 

 lished with the results of a dietary study which covered the month of October. 



The number of persons provided for was 60 and the average cost of the food 

 per person per day for the year was 21 cts. It is stated that on an average the 

 waste was 10 per cent of the food as purchased. According to the results of the 

 dietary study, the food as purchased cost IS cts. per i)erson per day, while the 

 food served supplied 98 gm. protein, 100 gm. fat, and 351 gm. carbohydrates per 

 person per day, the total energy being 2.758 calories. The daily menus were 

 fairly varied, meats, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, bread, and other cereal 

 foods being used in the same combinations as commonly found on home tables. 

 Meats and eggs were freely used, judging by the menus. According to the re- 

 port all of the pupils improved in health and working energy on the diet. 



A system of records has been devised for the storeroom, kitchen, and dining 

 room, which, it is stated, enabled the management by actual measurement to 

 exercise " the strictest economy in purchasing, [ireparing, cooking, serving, and 

 preserving the food materials." 



All of the pupils in the school assist in the work and the immediate direction 

 of it is under a graduate from the domestic science course. 



" The experiences of this effort have revolutionized the teaching of domestic 

 science in this institute. The subject is now both practical and practicable, and 

 we furnish our pupils skill as well as knowledge." 



The school child's breakfast, W. C. IIoi.r.oPETER {Jour. Amcr. Med. Assoc, 

 53 (1909), No. 21. pp. 1121-1130). — Excei)t in a very small proportion of cases, 

 according to the author, poverty is not the real reason why children go break- 

 fastless to school in this country. The appetite of children is capricious in 

 the morning, the real cause for this being the bad hygienic conditions of the 

 home and this should be taken into account in finding a remedy. 



Of the 2,169 children questioned only (*» claimed to eat no breakfast. Sixty- 

 eight per cent of the children ate bread. 35 per cent a cereal, 40 per cent eggs, 

 and 18 per cent cakes, and 58 per cent drank coffee, 15 per cent milk, 11 per cent 

 cocoa, and 11 per cent tea. Data are also given regarding other foods. 



" In conclusion, while we can not draw a definite result from the analysis 

 of so small a number of school children as to the quantity and quality of food 

 taken for their breakfasts, we may infer that the school child has a chance — 

 a poor one, indeed — for a breakfast ; and the reason he has so poor a one 

 is not that he has no food, but unfortunate surroundings to prepare him for 

 this subject. 



The paper is followed by a discussion. 



Penny lunches, H. H. Bonnell (Starr Centre Assoc. [Rpt.], 1909. pp. 18-20. 

 fig. 1). — The work of the year in serving penny lunches in Philadelphia in 

 certain public schools is described. The average number of children served 

 per day was 560. The foods served are enumerated and their estimated 

 nutritive value reported. 



28918— No. 4—10 6 



