FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 81 



of alum, salicylic acid, liorie acid, and formalin on tlie digestion of blood fibrin by 

 hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Tests were also made to determine the effect of alum 

 baking powder upon the digestibility of bread. It was found that even small 

 amounts of alum decreased the digestibility and this effect increased markedly when 

 large quantities were used. Boric acid decreased digestibility but the effect did not 

 seem to be regularly dependent upon the quantity of acid used. Formalin dimin- 

 ished digestibility somewhat more than lioric acid and the effect increased with 

 increased quantities of the antiseptic. The effect of alum was more marked than 

 that of either of the other substances. 



. The formation of gas in pancreatic digestion, F. Kltjg (Arch. Physiol. [Pjliiger], 

 70, No. 7-8, pp. .119-345). — The author reports a number of artificial digestion experi- 

 ments from which the following conclusions were drawn: It is extremely probable 

 that when fat undergoes digestion there is cleavage not only to fatty acids, glycerin, 

 and soaps, but also a deeper cleavage resulting in carbon dioxid and hydrogen as 

 final products. This suggests the effect of trypsin on albumen. The primary prod- 

 ucts are albumoses and peptones, but by continued action leuciu, tyrosin, and gluta- 

 minic acid are formed. As in the case of albumen the cleavage of fat may be more 

 complete than is profitable for the body. 



Experimental investigations on the effect of copper on animals and its absorp- 

 tion and excretion, J. Brandl (Art). K. (hsnndlieitsamie, 13 (1896), No. 1, pp. 104- 

 136). — Experiments were made with dogs and rabbits in which various copper com- 

 pounds were injected into the circulatory system or taken into the stomach. Among 

 the conclusions reached were the following: The effect of copper is most marked in 

 the case of salts that are easily absorbed. When copper salts are taken into the 

 stomach the poisonous action is affected by the contents of the stomach and intes- 

 tines. Compounds of copper albuminates have less effect than salts since only a 

 small portion is absorbed and a still smaller portion is taken up into the general 

 circulation. Only small amounts of copper arc excreted by the epithelia cells of the 

 intestines and in the urine. Very little is found in the saliva, and milk. On the 

 other hand, copper is excreted slowly but continuously through the gall and is 

 seldom stored up in any perceptible quantity. 



Influence of alcohol on muscular work, E. Destrke (Rer. Sci. [Paris'}, 4. set'., 

 9 (1S98), No. 17, p. 536). — A brief note on experiments in which a dynamometer was 

 used. This showed, in the author's opinion, that alcohol first increased muscular 

 work and then diminished it. 



Determination of the coefficient of oxidation of nitrogenous material, L. 

 Monfet (;?. Congrcs Internal. Chim. Appl., 1S96, IV, p. 70). — By coefficient of oxida- 

 tion of nitrogenous material is meant the ratio of nitrogen of urea to total nitrogen 

 of urine. 



A method of preparing fat-free meat, O. Frank (Ztschr. Biol., 35 (1897), No. 4, 

 pp. 549-554). — The aulhor proposes the following method for removing the fat from 

 meat: Cover the finely chopped meat with 96 per cent alcohol, soak for twenty-four 

 hours, shaking often, and remove the alcohol with a pipette. Repeat the treatment 

 three times with absolute alcohol and then with ether, dry the meat residue, pulver- 

 ize, and extract twenty- four hours with ether in a Soxhlet apparatus. Unite all the 

 alcohol and ether extracts, evaporate at gentle heat (preferably in a vacuum), and 

 dry in a vacuum at 100°. Take up the residue with chemically pure ether, or better 

 still, with petroleum ether (boiling point 60°), filter, evaporate, and weigh. If a 

 clear solution is not obtained, evaporate and dissolve a second time in petroleum 

 ether. This method of extracting fat gives about 10 per cent more than the ordinary 

 method in terms of the total fat estimated. 



The author compares his method with that in ordinary use. When 6.851 gm. of 

 meat powder dried at 70° was extracted by the ordinary method ether extract equal 

 to 2.57 per cent of the total substance was obtained. When 24.12 gm. of fresh meat 



