ANIMAL PRODUCTION, 361 



whose body weight varied considerably at times implies that the creatiuin 

 excretion is proportional to the body weight and not to the active mass of pro- 

 toplasmic tissue. 



Observations on nitrogenous metabolism in man after removal of the 

 spleen, L. B. Mendel and R. B. Gibson {Amer. Jour. PhusioL, IS (1907), No. 3, 

 PI). JO 1-212). — Analytical data reported did not indicate any striking variations 

 from the normal distributicm of urinary components which could be associated 

 with the exclusion of the functions of the spleen. 



The action of certain drugs on the elimination, of uric acid during a 

 nitrogen-free diet, H. C. Jackson and K. D. Blackfan (Studies Bender Hyg. 

 Lab., 3 (IfiOG), pp. 2^-Jtl). — In the experiments reported the diet consisted of a 

 sort of pudding made from arrowroot, starch, cane sugar, butter fat in the 

 form of cream, salt and extracts and fruits as flavoring material, the total 

 energy value of the diet being 2,811 calories per day. From the standpoint of 

 energy, the diet was found to be sufficient. 



The conclusion was reached that the elimination of uric acid on a purin-fi'ee 

 or nitrogen-free diet is not a constant value for the same individual. Appar- 

 ently the elimination of creatinin may be altered by conditions other than that 

 of creatinin in the food. Alcohol was found to increase the output of uric acid 

 during a nitrogen-free diet. Other conclusions are drawn regarding the effect 

 of this substance and of a number of drugs. 



Concerning glycolysis, G. W. Hall (Amer. Jour. Physiol., IS (1907), No. 3, 

 pp. 2S3-29.'f). — The exijerimental data reported confirm Cohuheim's conclusion 

 that the pancreas alone can not destroy appreciable amounts of S-glucose ; 

 " muscle alone can destroy small quantities of glucose ; while small quantities 

 of the expressed juice of pancreas mixed with muscle juice destroy considerable 

 quantities of glucose. Even more effective in this cooperation -than pancreas 

 juice is the alcoholic extract of boiled pancreas. 



" The active pancreatic substance is completely precipitated by phosphotung- 

 stic acid. lender the same circumstances neither arabinose, nor lactose, nor 

 levulose in material quantity is subject to the same destruction. 



" The action of bacteria to destroy glucose in these experiments is shown to 

 have been absent by the failure of the mechanism with other sugars and by the 

 proved sterility of the mixture. Trypsin or another constituent of the pancreas 

 has a harmful effect upon the active muscle substance, a fact which may perhaps 

 account for the apparent inhibition sometimes observed. 



" In such experiments the use of a mixture of mono- and di-sodium phosphates 

 to preserve neutrality is advantageous." 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Cassava: Its content of hydrocyanic acid and starch and other properties, 

 C. C. MooRE d'. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem. Bui. 106, pp. 30). — Analyses were 

 made of a number of varieties of cassava grown in Mississippi and Florida. 

 The results suggest that the hydrocyanic-acid content may undergo a variety 

 (if changes during tlie growth of the plant and may even disappear entirely at 

 times and again be present. In Florida-grown samples the maximum hydro- 

 cyanic-acid content appeared to be present about the middle of March. 



" It is generally believed that the common stock of cassava known as the 

 Florida Sweet is always sweet, and also that any variety brought into Florida 

 will eventually become sweet. None of the common Florida varieties examined 

 has shown more than a small quantity of hydrocyanic acid, and it appears thei'e- 

 fore tliat tlie popular belief is well founded. The general results of the work 

 indicate that the environment in Florida is such as to retard the chemical- 

 pliysiological action which produces the hydrocyanic acid. It may be shown 



