62 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



" It is believed that these experiments affoi'd clear experimental evidence for 

 the vlev\' that extremely moderate amounts of alcohol may cause distinct changes 

 in certain physiological functions and that these changes may, under certain 

 circumstances, he injurious to the body." 



Kesearches on the nitrogenous constituents of malt which are soluble in 

 cold water, and are not coagulated on boiling {2'raiis. Guinness Research 

 Lab.. 1 (1H06), [it. 2, pp. 1U7-2S3). — A nun)ber of papers on various questions 

 concerning the nitrogenous constituents of malt are reported and discussed, the 

 Investigations as a whole having relation to the use of malt in brewing. 



The excretion of boric acid from the human body, M. W. Wiley {Jour. Biol. 

 Chcin., o {1007), No. 1, pp. 11-lD). — From the author's invesUgations on borax, 

 some of which have been reported in full (E". S. 11.. 10. p. 182), the general con- 

 clusion is reached that " the total quantity of boric acid excreted in the feces 

 and perspiration is not much if any over 3 per cent of that administered during 

 the ordinary period of observation. It is evident, therefore, that even includ- 

 ing these quantities with those which are excreted in the urine not over 8"* 

 per cent of the total amount of boric acid exhibited in these experiments is in 

 the three excretions mentioned." 



The possibilities of the excretion of borax in niilic were studied with nursing 

 women. The data obtained indicate that " appreciable quantities of boric acid 

 administered to the mother are found in the lacteal secretion. The quantity is 

 quite variable and increases or decreases without much relation to the exact 

 date of administration of the preservative. It is evident that the residue of 

 boric acid which is stored in the body may at any time be expected to ai)pear 

 in the milk. Properly this investigation should have been comi)leted by a study 

 of the animal body itself after the administration of I)oric acid for a certain 

 period to determine in what organs the part which escapes excretion is prin- 

 cipally stored. Theoretically, from the results of the metabolic experiments, a 

 large part of it would be found iii the bones, or other phosphatic tissues, since 

 it was seen that tlie administration of the l)oric acid largely increased the 

 excretion of phosphorus. It is our intention in the near future to complete the 

 experiment by feeding animals borax or boric acid for a period and then examin- 

 ing their bodies to determine the (juantity of borax stored and its distribution." 



Formic acid as a preservative, G. Lebiun (Chen). Ztc/., 30 (1906), Ao. 8i. pp. 

 UiOU-UH I ) . — strong acetic acid is known to l)e harmful. From experimental 

 data the conclusion was drawn tliat if used as .-i preservative formic acid may 

 be considered as twice as active physiologically as acetic acid. 



The rational feeding of the aged, L. Landouzy (Presse Mvd. [Paris], 1907, 

 \o. .7, pp. 33-3')). — A French law, enacted in 1905, provides for the assistance 

 of septuagenarians and the author discusses the subject of the preparation of 

 a rational and adequate diet under the provisions of the law. According to his 

 estimates, a man 70 years old and weighing from (>0 to 70 kg. requires per day 

 about 47 gm. protein, .53 gm. fat. 2.59 gm. carbohydrates, and 20 gm. of alcohol, 

 supplied in a quarter of a liter of wine, the total fuel value of the diet l»eing 

 about 1,950 calories. In order that the menus may be readily varied and 

 remain equivalent in nutritive value, data are given regarding the (piantities of 

 different food materials calculated to be equivalent in nutritive vn]u(\ 



Some common errors in the diet and general hygiene of children, A. F. 

 VoELCKER {Biit. Mc(L -lour., mm'. \i>. 2'i0'i. pp. ISl-lS.')). — Diet, feeding, cloth- 

 ing, ventilation, exercise, and similar (|uestions are discussed.' The author 

 makes a plea for l)reast feeding in hospitals, when p()ssil)le. as ()p[)osed to arti- 

 ficial feeding. 



