258 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The general conclusions which were drawn from the investigations follow : 



" Sodium benzoate, in small and large doses, up to a maximum of 4 gm. per 

 day, is without disturbing influence upon the general health of the indiA-idual, 

 so far as can be seen from clinical observations. There was no attendant loss 

 of body weight ; neither was there any disturbance of digestion, assimilation, or 

 utilization of either the fat or protein food. Indeed, the subjects of our experi- 

 ment showed a gain of weight and even an improved condition of digestion dur- 

 ing the period of the experiment in which the action of sodium benzoate was 

 tested. 



"Again, there was no deleterious influence on the part of sodium benzoate 

 upon the blood, either on the number of erythrocytes, leucocytes, or the hemo- 

 globin content of the blood. 



" Upon the less tangible processes of metabolism as indicated by the quantita- 

 tive study of the urine, etc., there is no indication of any marlced action. No 

 changes of any special significance were to be noted during the period when 

 sodium benzoate was fed even in large doses, aside from a slight efl:"ect on the 

 reaction of the urine, so that the conclusion is obvious that sodium benzoate 

 does not exert, in small or large doses, any pronounced influence upon the 

 pi'ocesses of metabolism or of nutrition. 



" Sodium benzoate is without effect upon the pi-oduction of nitrogen balance. 

 Throughout our experiment a plus nitrogen balance was easily maintained, and 

 in such fashion as to clearly indicate that sodium benzoate does not exert any 

 harmful or disturbing influence. 



" In our judgment, therefore, based on the character of the results obtained 

 in this study of the action of sodium benzoate on the general health and nutri- 

 tion of man, there is no suggestion of any pronounced effect whatever produced 

 by the salt in such doses as we have employed. We are of the opinion that 

 sodium benzoate, in small and large doses, up to a maximum of 4 gm. per day, 

 is no more harmful or provocative of disturbance of the human organism than 

 corresponding amounts of sodium chlorid or common salt. 



" This conclusion, while based entirely upon the results of our investigation, 

 is in close harmony with what is known regarding the occurrence of bonzoyl- 

 containing radicals in many natural products, wliich have long served as useful 

 foods for mankind. As our results show, in harmony with well-known facts, 

 the ordinary diet of man contains a suflicient amount of benzoic acid or kindred 

 substances to give rise to appreciable quantities of hippuric acid in the urine. 

 Further, huckleberries, cranberries, and other related fruits well recognized as 

 noninjurious to health have in them amounts of benzoyl radicals sufficient to 

 form quantities of hippuric acid in tlie urine larger than the small doses of 

 sodium benzoate fed in our experiment ; thus making it apparent that some 

 natural foods at least contain quantities of benzoate, or related substances, in 

 amount equal to what was fed in our daily dosage with sodium benzoate, and 

 that the system is well inured to the presence of moderate quantities at least 

 of this aromatic group. 



" Finally, it may be added that the results of our experimental study make it 

 evident that tlie admixture of sodium benzoate with food does not lead to any 

 reduction in the quality or strength of such food ; neither is the food injuriously 

 affected thereby when the salt is added in small quantities or in large quanti- 

 ties, up to a maximum of 4 gm. per day. Were the contrary true, we should 

 expect to find in our experimental results indications of either a disturbance of 

 digestion, an inhibition of the normal power to digest and assimilate the food 

 treatefl with sodium benzoate, together with a tendency toward the production 

 of a minus nitrogen balance, with possible loss of body weight." 



