288 . EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the respiration chamber and the removal of excreta. The respiration chamber is of 

 such size that a man may remain in it iu comparative comfort for a period of twenty- 

 lour hours. The air drawn through the respiration chamber is measured with a gas 

 meter and aliquot samples analyzed. 



Alcohol check experiments, which are very briefly reported, led the author to 

 conclude that the apparatus is very accurate. Some analytical data of experiments 

 with men are also given. The simplicity of construction of the apparatus is, in the 

 author's opinion, a point in its favor. 



Concerning the action of sulphur on proteid bodies, M. Hausmann and 

 A. Heffter (Beilr. Chun. Physiol. «. Pathol., 5 {1904), No. 5-6, pp. 213-233).— It has 

 been observed that when white of egg is treated under proper conditions with finely 

 divided sulphur, hydrogen sulphid is produced. The authors studied this reaction 

 at length with egg white and other proteids. 



According to their investigate »ns it appears that crystallized ovalbumin, and perhaps 

 also conalbumin, as well as an unidentified proteid found in animal tissue, possess 

 the property of forming hydrogen sulphid from sulphur at an ordinary temperature 

 (40° C. ) and do not lose this property wh en cooked. The reaction was also produced 

 by a body in blood cells, but whether in the case of this substance also the reaction 

 was unaffected by cooking, and the body therefore was to be classed with the similar 

 substance obtained from organs, can not be stated. 



All proteid bodies do not possess the property of forming hydrogen sulphid from 

 sulphur at room temperature. It was found that the globulins of white of egg and 

 blood serum, fibrin, serum albumin, the proteids of milk and other secretions did 

 not possess it. Neither did Witte peptone and commercial hemialbumose form 

 hydrogen sulphid. Gelatin and yeast nuclein were also found to be inactive at room 

 temperature. When cleavage was induced in ovalbumin and probably in the other 

 active proteids by pepsin, the active properties were destroyed. 



A number of experiments were carried on to ascertain the cause of the observed 

 phenomena. It was found that a formation of hydrogen sulphid from sulphur was 

 brought about by a number of mercaptans, and it is suggested that in the case of 

 proteids the reaction may be due to the presence of mercaptan radicals. 



Certain questions which have to do with proteid metabolism, W. Falta 

 (Verhandl. Nalurf. Gesett. Basel, 15 {1904), No. 2, pp. 206-224, pi- -?).— The experi- 

 ments reported have to do with the source of nitrogenous excretory products and 

 the cleavage of protein in the body. 



The effect of pancreas upon proteid formation, P. Bergell and F. Blimen- 

 tiial {Arch. Physiol. [Ffluger], 103 {1904), No. 11-12, pp. 627-631) .—Experimental 

 data are reported and discussed. 



The effect of sea climate and sea baths upon metabolism in man, A. Loewy 

 and F. Muller {Arch. Physiol. [Pfluger], 103 {1904), No. 9-10, pp. 450-475, figs. 2).— 

 The experiments reported showed that sea climate and sea baths have an effect on 

 metabolism with certain persons, but did not show the reasons for this. 



Phosphorus medication: Glycero-phosphates, lecithins, nucleins, H. Labbe 

 {La medication Phosphoree: Glycero-phosphates, licithines, nucleines. Paris: J. B. 

 Bailliere & Sons, 1903, pp. 96; rev. in British Med. Jour., 1904, No. 2267, p. 1874).— 

 The faulty assimilation of phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus compounds is 

 spoken of. More favorable results attend the use of organic compounds, and the 

 author discusses lecithins, nucleins, and similar bodies. 



Concerning myogen, a new protein preparation, R. O. Neumann {Milnchen. 

 Med. Wchnschr., 50 {1903), pp. 106-108; abs. in Ztschr. Untersuch. Nahr. it. Genussmtl, 

 7 {1904), No. 9, p. 557).— A descriptive article. 



The utilization of heat produced by animals, L. Grandeau {Jour. Agr. Prat., 

 v. ser., 7 {1904), No. 23, pp. 737, 738). — A discussion from a quantitative standpoint 

 of the energy outgo of the body. 



