19171 Foofis — Human Ntii^BitiON. 161 



indicated that the growth stimulation is something other than amlno-acid 

 stimulus. 



The study of certain dietary conditions bearing on the problem of growth 

 in rats, C. Funk and J. Poklop {Jour. Biol. Chem., 27 (1916), No. 1, pp. l-lJf, 

 fiys. 4). — This paper presents data obtained in observation of several hundred 

 laboratory animals (rats), regarding the influence exerted by various sub- 

 stances, which bring about a better condition of the laboratory animals not 

 only from the standpoint of nutrition but from the standpoint of correcting 

 deficiencies in diet. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 



" By an addition of milk or yeast to the normal diet, the growth of rats can 

 be accelerated. Oats in dry state or subjected to germination proved to be 

 an inadequate diet for young rats. Yeast can not substitute the casein in the 

 diet and this very likely because of its toxic properties. Young rats grow less 

 when milk instead of yeast is used in the diet, and they do not gi"ow at all on 

 orange juice as addition. Using Lloyd's reagent for precipitation of the growth- 

 promoting substance from autolyzed yeast, it was found that by this process 

 the separation seems to be not complete ; furthermore, the yeast loses some of 

 its original value as a stimulant to growth." 



Dietetic deficiency, H. H. Green {So. African Jour. Sci., 12 {1916), No. 8, 

 pp. 289-308). — A summary and digest of data regarding the relation of so-called 

 vitamins to the following deficiency diseases : Beri-beri, scurvy, pellagra, rickets, 

 and osteomalacia, and lamziekte and other deficiency diseases of cattle. 



Studies in creatin metabolism. — I-IV, F. P. Undeehill and E. J. Baumann 

 {Jour. Biol. Chcm., 21 {1916), No. 1, pp. 127-139, Ul-146, 147-150, 151-160).— 

 Four papers are presented. 



I. Possible interrelations beticeen acidosis and creatin elimituition. — In the 

 experiments here reported laboratory animals (rabbits) were fed upon diets 

 containing an adequate carbohydrate supply, but of such a nature that one diet 

 would yield ash of pronounced acidity, another a distinctly basic ash, and a 

 third type of diet consisting of a mixture of the two. The acid-producing foods 

 were whole oats and cracked corn, and the base-producing food was fresh 

 carrots. 



It was found that upon a diet of oats and corn furnishing an adequate sup- 

 ply of carbohydrate creatin appeared promptly in the urine of the animal. 

 This phenomenon was associated with marked acidosis as measured by the 

 hydrogen ion concentration of the urine. Oats and corn were found to be pro- 

 nounced acid-producing foods, but if a base-producing food, such as carrots, was 

 fed to rabbits with creatinuria this symptom disappeared, as the urine became 

 alkaline. 



" The protein per se is without special significance in the phenomenon under 

 discussion; for upon a diet consisting of oats, corn, and carrots creatin fails 

 to appear in the urine, and the reaction of the latter remains alkaline. Equally 

 significant is the further fact that the ingestion of hydrochloric acid with the 

 mixed diet causes the appearance in the urine of significant quantities of cre- 

 atin. Simultaneously, the hydrogen ion concentration of the urine is markedly 

 increased. 



"The conclusion seems justified that there is an interrelationship between 

 acidosis and creatin elimination. Creatin in the urine may prove to be an index 

 of a condition of acidosis in the organism." 



II. The influence of alkali upon creatin elimination during inanition. — Data 

 are reported regarding the influence of starvation upon the hydrogen ion con- 

 centration in the urine of laboratory animals (rabbits), and also the influence 



