FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 169 



Digestive processes, E. Bardier (Les Fonctions Digestives. Paris, 1911, 

 pp. XII+JfS8+XlI, figs. 29). — In this handbook the composition of tissues, the 

 general phenomena of digestion, mastication and muscular movements of the 

 digestive tract, absorption, and other related topics are considered. 



This is one of the volumes included in the series Encyclopedie Scientifique. 



The use of biological methods in studies of the secretions and excretions 

 of the digestive tract, H. Citron (Arb. K. Gsndhtsamt., 36 (1911), No. 3, 

 pp. .358-371). — A comparative study of methods. 



Fasting studies. — II, On the catalase content of tissues and organs after 

 prolonged fasting, P. B. Hawk (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 33 (1911), No. 3, 

 pp. 42.5-i3.i). — From chemical studies of the tissues of fasting dogs in com- 

 parison with normal animals, the general conclusion is drawn that fasting 

 tends to lower the catalj-tic power of the tissues. In the case of a dog which 

 had fasted for 2 periods, with an interval between, the tissues possessed 

 catalytic powers which were much more comparable with normal tissues than 

 was the case with a dog which had fasted for but a single period. 



Discussing his results in comparison with other data, the author believes that 

 the information reported regarding " higher catalase values for the tissues of 

 adult 'repeated fasters ' as compared with adult 'initial fasters' may be taken 

 as indicating the more efficient functional activity of the repeated faster." 



The metabolism and energy transformations of healthy man during rest, 

 F. G. Benedict and T. M. Carpenter (Carnegie lust. Wasliington Pub. 126, 

 pp. Till +25.5). — In this report the authors have summarized data collected 

 during the 10 years or so in which experiments were carried on with the 

 lespiration calorimeter at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., including 

 work carried on in cooperation with the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture. The bulk of the material included has not been previously reported. 



Among the subjects discussed in detail are changes in body weight, insensible 

 perspiration, body temperature with its variations and fluctuations, and pulse 

 rate. Important data obtained with the respiration calorimeter are reported 

 regarding the vaporization of water from the body of the subject, the elimina- 

 tion of carbon dioxid, the consumption of oxygen, and heat elimination and heat 

 production. Special reference is made to comparisons between the metabolism 

 during sleep and during waking hours. The authors also consider the relation- 

 ships between the various factors of metabolism, including the relation of car- 

 bon dioxid eliminated to water vaporized, the respiratory quotient, the calorific 

 equivalents of carbon dioxid and oxygen, and the relations existing between 

 carbon dioxid elimination, oxygen consumption, and heat production, and the 

 relation of muscular work to these 3 factors. Special attention is likewise 

 given to variations in metabolism due to variations in physical characteristics, 

 age, muscular activity, sex, etc., of the subjects, including the metabolism of 

 athletes, uonathletes, and women. A number of experiments are included which 

 deal with the metabolism and energy transformations incidental to simple 

 every-day body movements, such as dressing and undressing, standing, sitting, 

 etc. In conclusion, tentative tables based on these data are gi^'en for com- 

 puting the metabolism of normal individuals with varying degrees of muscular 

 activity. 



The following table gives the carbon dioxid eliminated, the oxygen absorbed, 

 and the heat produced per hour during various activities, the data as to stand- 

 ing and very severe muscular exercise being calculated using as a standard 

 the results obtained w-ith 55 men awake and sitting up. 



