1917] FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 467 



[Drug analyses], E. F. Ladd and Alma K. Johnson {North Dakota Sta. 

 Spec. BuL, 4 {1016} , No. 9, pp. 195-2Jf2) .—This bulletin reports the results of the 

 examination of a large number of miscellaneous patent medicines, toilet prepa- 

 rations, etc. 



Annual report of the state chemist of Florida, R. E. Rose {Fla. Quart. Bui. 

 Dept. Agr., 21 {1911). No. 1, pp. 2i3).— This bulletin reports the results of the 

 examination of 1,511 samples of foods, drugs, citrus fruits, fertilizers, and feed- 

 ing stulTs made during the year 1916. 



Sixteenth annual report of the state food commissioner of Illinois, W. S. 

 Matthews {Ann. Rpt. State Food Comr. III., 16 {1915), pp. 181. fig. i).— This 

 publication reviews the work of the department for the year 1915 and reports 

 data regarding 6,513 samples of miscellaneous food products, as well as the 

 results of inspections of creameries, food-manufacturing establishments, etc. 

 The text is given of standards for foods in force January 1, 1916. 



Report of the chief of the bureau of inspection on the enforcement of the 

 pure food law, A. M. G. Soule {Agr. of Maine, 1915, pp. 149-177, pis. 5).— The 

 results are reported of the examination of samples of agricultural seeds, com- 

 mercial feeding stuffs, commercial fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, drugs, and 

 foods. Inspections were made of bakeries, bottling establishments, canning 

 factories, etc. 



Report of deputy state sealer of weights and measures, E. A. Rrss {Agr. of 

 Alainr, 1915, pp. 128-148. pis. S). — The work of the bureau of weights and 

 measures during the year 1915 included the testing of a large number of scales, 

 weights, dry and liquid measures, automatic pumps, etc., and an educational 

 campaign. 



Homemade fireless cookers and their use {V. S. Dept. Agr., Fanners' BuL 

 771 {1916), pp. 16, figs. 5). — Directions are given for building a fireless cooker 

 from materials found in the home or easily obtainable, together with suggestions 

 for the most satisfactory use of the fireless cooker. Recipes for the preparation 

 of different foods in the fireless cooker are included. 



Is vegetarianism based on sound science? M. Helen Keith (Set. Amer. 

 Sup., 82 {1916), No. 2135, pp. 358, 359).— The relative advantages and dis- 

 advantages of the vegetarian diet are considered in the light of recent experi- 

 mental data. 



The general conclusion drawTi by the author from this evidence is that a meat- 

 free diet is not so safe as a diet containing meat. While in some respects animal 

 and vegetable food constituents are equivalent and replaceable, the selection of 

 a suitable variety from these sources requires special care and probably special 

 attention to the manner of preparation. " It may be said emphatically that the 

 narrow restriction of the diet to cereals leads to serious injury." 



The action of sodium citrate and its decomposition in the body, W. 

 Salant and L. E. Wise {Jour. Biol. Chem., 28 {1916), No. 1, pp. 27-58).— In the 

 experiments reported a study was made of the presence of citrate in the blood 

 of a number of animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) when administered by mouth 

 or subcutaneously ; the rate of disappearance of citrates from the circulation 

 when injected intravenously; the oxidation of citrates in different animals; and 

 numerous observations on toxicity. The results may be briefly summarized as 

 follows : 



Sodium citrate disappeared rapidly from the circulation after intravenous 

 injection, but this was retarded when the doses were repeated, oxidation and 

 elimination being probably much slower when large doses were given at fre- 

 quent intervals. The amount of citrate eliminated in the urine after sub- 

 cutaneous injection averaged 12 per cent in the case of rabbits and about 30 

 per cent in the case of cats. 



