FOOD&— MTRITION. 287 



metabolism of nitrogen and ash constituents. Full analyses of food and excretory 

 products were made, the income and outgo of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, mag- 

 nesium, and ash being determined. 



[n the author's opinion the results obtained with nitrogen werein accord with 

 those of other in \ esl igators. 



In the 32 days of the tesl the phosphorus in the mixed diet consumed ranged from 

 1.226 gm. to 2.105 gm. per day. On every day except one tin- total amount excreted 

 was greater than the amounl consumed. In other words, in the form in which it 

 was consumed tin- amounl of phosphorus was not sufficient for the body needs. 

 However, in one period the amount consumed was 2.103 gm. per day and the average 

 loss was only 0.030, showing that only a little more would have been required for 

 equilibrium. During a supplementary period when tin- diel was selected witboul 

 restriction the amounl of phosphorus excreted was about the same as during the 

 experiment proper. 



As regards calcium, the author found that the larger proportion was excreted in 

 the urine, though as he notesothers have found that the feces contain the greater 

 amount, ft is pointed out that the observed facte may perhaps be explained by 

 individual peculiarity or by the character of the food. The amount, of calcium 

 consumed ranged from about 0.9 to about 1.5 gm. Considering the test as a '.hole 

 then- was a small gain of calcium. 



In the author'.-- opinion the body was aide to gain this element only in limited 

 quantity. During part of the time some calcium carbonate was consumed, a portion 

 of which was apparently resorbed. The author calculated that since the amounl of 

 calcium which he required was 1.2 gm., an older man, whose skeleton was com- 

 pletely formed, would require less than 0.7 gm. per day, considerations which would 

 indicate that there is little danger of the supply in the food being inadequate t.. meet 

 the boily demands. 



The amount of magnesium supplied by the diet was from about 0.4 toO.Ogm. per 

 day; when the larger amount was consumed then- was a small gain. The magne- 

 sium requirement was calculated to beabout0.45 gm. per day. About 30 percent, 

 of the magnesium consumed was excreted in the urine and 70 per cent in the fen-. 



The diet supplied from about 30 to 38 gm. total ash perday. Considering the test 

 a- a whole there was a loss of 31.2 gm. The amount not accounted for by the ash 

 constituents measured, it is pointed out, must have been made up largely of .-odium, 

 potassium, and chlorin. The author notes that in the urine the principal ash con- 

 stituent is sodium chlorid and in the feces phosphoric acid. 



The author and 2 other young men were the subject- of -Mine teste which were 

 undertaken to ascertain the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magne- 

 sium in the intestinal secretions. The diet consisted of sago cooked in water, sweet- 

 ened with sugar, and flavored with a little citric acid and raspberry juice. In 2 teste 

 reported the nitrogen in the feces amounted to 1.5 and 1.52 gm. per day, the phos- 

 phorus 0.2l'3 and 0.220, calcium 0.163 and 0.165, and magnesium 0.004 and 0.067. 



In one test the fat in the feces was determined and amounted to 2.-~> gm. per day. 

 The re-ults obtained are discussed at length and compared with those of other in 

 tigators. The author notes that when small amounts of a-h constituents are supplied, 

 the body limits the amounts excreted. Since the energy requirements of the body 

 were nearly supplied by the diet furnished, smaller amount- of body tissue were 

 broken down than would be the case in fasting. 



A new apparatus for studying the respiratory metabolism of man, A. Jaqubt 

 I Verhandl. NoAurf. Gesett. Basel, L~> {1904), No. 2, pp. 252-271, pi. 1).—A respiration 

 apparatus, which is designed especially for studying the respiratory quotient with 

 men, is described. The apparatus consists of a respiration chamber, its capacity 

 being 1,387 liters, provided with a folding bed and other conveniences, window- for 

 lighting, telephone, and a food aperture for the convenient introduction of food into 



