182 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



articles of diet. In connection with the digestion experiments the income and outgo 

 of ail rogen was determined. 



Digestion experiments depend for their success quite largely upon an accurate 

 separation of the fn-i-s, ami different methods of accomplishing tins were tested, 

 including the use of knotted strings and of lampblack in gelatin capsules, some of 

 which were treated with shellac, tannin, and formaldehyde, i.e., substances designed 

 to retard the solution of the capsule in the stomach. None of the markers tested 

 proved entirely satisfactory. 



" While too great reliance should not be placed on a marker of any kind, as shown 

 by the results of a huge number of experiments, lampblack, when properly used, 

 lias given tolerably good results, and may lie. considered a valuable aid in the separa- 

 tion of feces. The texture of the feces and the time of their appearance ( if the sub- 

 ject be of regular habits) are factors which must be considered of equally great 

 importance. 



" In digestion experiments reliable results can be hoped for only when the experi- 

 mental period is fairly long, at least four days, and the subjects are of regular habits. 

 Regularity is a matter of the greatest importance, since feces can rarely be so marked 

 that separations can safely be made by color alone. Increased accuracy may be 

 obtained when evacuations take place daily and at about the same hour. Retention 

 of the intestinal contents beyond the usual period appears often to result in greater 

 displacement <>f different portions of the feces than would otherwise be likely." 



Report of the food commissioner, E. F. Ladd (NorlJi Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1003, 

 pp. 10.' -228). — Under the provisions of the State pure-food law 268 samples of foods 

 were examined for the detection of adulteration or sophistication, the period covered 

 by the work including 6 months. The total number of samples examined, the 

 author states, was larger than for the preceding year, " but the percentageof adulter- 

 ated goods has been reduced from 72 to 32 per cent. The most marked change has 

 been found in preserves, jams, jellies, etc. Where one year ago every sample 

 examined was adulterated, now but 30 per cent are found to be illegal. We may add 

 also that the quality has been proportionately improved." 



Analyses are reported of a number of samples of canned and potted meats, spices, 

 and teas. The report also contains a summary of court cases and some data regarding 

 the State pure-food law. 



Foods, T. S. Dymond and F. Hughes {Essex Education Com., Notes Agr. Anal. 

 County Tech. Labs., 1901-1903, pp. 22-31,40-46). — Analyses are reported of a number 

 of feeding stuffs, samples of milk, and potable and other waters. 



Foods and food control, W. D. Bigelow ( (.'. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry 

 Bui. 69, pt. 6, pp. 463-503). — This bulletin contains a digest of the food laws in force 

 in the United States on July 1, 1902, and also serves as an index to the compilation 

 of these laws contained in the parts previously published (E. S. R., 14, p. (is:;). 



Foods and food control. I, Legislation during the year ended July 1, 

 1903, W. D. Bigelow ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bin-ran of Chemistry Bui. .v.;, pt. i, pp. 

 151 ). — The food legislation enacted during the year ended July 1, 1908, in the United 

 States and the insular possessions has been compiled. 



The danger of keeping food products warm, F. Schardinger ( Wiener Klin. 

 Wchnschr., 10 {1903), p. 468; abs. in Hyg. Rundschau, 1 ', (100/), No. 8, pp. 

 384)- — Bacteriological studies showed that bad results may follow when food is kept 

 warm for a considerable time. 



Determination of effect of preservatives in foods on health and digestion, 

 H. W. Wiley {U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 100.], pp. 289^802). — Experiments extend- 

 ing over long periods have been carried on at the Bureau of Chemistry with healthy 

 young men to study the effects of adding borax and boric acid to the diet. These 

 are briefly described and some of the results are summarized as follows: 



