POODS HUMAN NUTT^TTTON. 261 



Wdiild not ho fair 1o coneludc from llicsc results tlint sodimn sulphite should 

 be used in preserving uient, since if it is added, spoiled meat can he used and 

 inferior meat given the appearance of meat of better quality. 



The effect of som^e so-called preservative salts on chopped meat, K, E. 

 BoKiiNCKK (H}/f/. Rundschaa, 19 (lOO'J), Xo. 6', pii. ,'/7J-//<S6'). — Experiments 

 with 'A commercial preservative salts did not give satisfactory results. To 

 secure preservation comparable with that obtained by the use of ice large quan- 

 tities of the preservative salts were required. 



The effect of cold storage upon domestic fowls, W, G. Bissell {Buffalo 

 [D('i)t. Health}, 1909, pi>. 'i ; ahs. in Buffalo [Dcpt. Health] Sanit. Bill., n. sen, 2 

 (1909), No. 3, pp. I, 2). — ^The turkeys used in this investigation were purchased 

 alive and kept under observation for several days, then killed, dressed, and 

 placed in cold storage for a year under wliat the author considers the most 

 favorable circumstances. With a view to comparing the effect upon quality, 

 half of the turkeys were stored drawn and half undrawn. At intervals the 

 birds were removed from storage for study and cultures were made of tlie 

 flesh and sections of the tissue were examined to ascertain whether during the 

 period of storage bacterial migration took jilace, and if so, when- it occurred, 

 the results being compared with data obtained from similar examinations made 

 before storage. 



A number of tests were also made of the stored birds in which their quality 

 when cooked was judged by different individuals. 



According to the author's conclusions, no changes making the food detri- 

 mental to health take place when turkeys, and presumably other domestic fowls 

 and game, are kept a year in cold storage inider proper conditions, provided 

 the material is in perfectly fresh condition when stored, and is especially pre- 

 pared for storage. The flavor of turkeys kept in cold storage, and probably 

 of other domestic fowls' and game also, differs from that of the fresh birds of 

 equal quality, being less sweet and relatively less pronounced. 



"When the turkeys are undrawn, " there is a tendency for the odor, and un- 

 doubtedly the taste, of the material contained in the intestines to permeate 

 the ad.iaceut tissues at the time of the thawing-out process. There is also the 

 possibility of the bacteria contained in the intestinal contents to migrate 

 through the abdominal tissues at the time of the thawing-out process. It is 

 tlie opinion of the investigator that all domestic fowls submitted to cold 

 .storage should be drawn and should be properly killed and otherwise prepared 

 . . . [and packed] with the express intention of being placed in cold storage, 

 and that domestic fowls, unless so prepared, should not be allowed to go into 

 cold storage, and that regulations suitable to the enforcement of such pro- 

 cedure should become a health administratiA'e measure. Changes in turkeys, 

 and probably the same is true with other domestic fowls and game, do not take 

 lilace during the actual time of the proper application of cold storage, but 

 occur befoi'e being placed under tlie influence of this pi-ocess for food preserva- 

 tion, at the time of the thawing-out process, and at times subsequent thereto. 

 Material in any state of decomposition is in no way improved by the applica- 

 tion of cold storage, and its application will only tend to retard the destructive 

 process, or cause it to be arrested at the point reached at the time of being 

 snl)jected to cold storage. 



" In the case of turkeys, and probably the same applies to other domestic 

 fowls and game, cold storage is the only possible method by which this class of 

 food material can be preserved. Food of this kind is largely of seasonal pro- 

 duction, which seasons are relatively of short duration. If cold storage was 

 not resorted to, there would be months of the year when turkeys, and prob- 

 ably the same applies to other domestic fowls and game, could not be obtained 



