464 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



8, moat powder 19, fibrin 21. and casein 41 days. Tin- rats developed an in- 

 tense fatty degeneration of the liver on the casein diet, those fled fibrin a 

 intense deposit, while no deposit of fat was found in the liver cells of the 

 animals fed on meat powder or egg albumin. 



The author points out that there seems to exist a direct relationship between 

 the length of life and the ability of the Ingested proteins to be transformed into 

 fat, and suggests tbat the presence of fat renders the organism L .ptible 



to nitrogen poisoning in the spring and fall. 



Influence of the animal species on the toxicity and mode of utilization of 

 food proteins. E. Majqnojn {Compt. Rend. Acad, Bd. [Parte], t8), We. f, 



pp. 91-94) • — The experiments noted above were repeated with dogs. The re- 

 sults with egg albumin were similar, but with casein entirely different results 

 were obtained. Constant weight was maintained tor a mouth or more, death 

 finally resulting from acute intoxication. No fatty deposit was found in the 

 liver. With meat powder the dogs were able to maintain and Increase their 

 weight 



The explanation advanced regarding the differences between the results 



tained with rats and dogs is that the dot:, naturally carnivorous, can adjust 

 itself more readily to a protein diet. The nutritive power of a food, as deter- 

 mined by the readiness with which constant weight is established, is not iic 

 sarily connected with its toxicity. The toxicity of the same protein varies 

 witli the animal species, the variation seeming to he connected with the |muvr 

 of tin' particular species to transform proteins more or less easily into fat. 

 The author suggests that these CactS Constitute a new proof of the role of fats 

 in the utilization of nitrogenous matter. 



The action of symbiotes on the constituents of fnts. II. BtKBXY and P. I 

 •mi: {Compt. Rend. Acad. Set [Porte], t8€ </.''/ s '. \'. .'•/. pp. in.;:, n,:,-, .- oh*, in 

 Physiol. Abe., .1 {,1918}, Wo. 7. /- 86$). The authors state that they have toe- 

 ded in bringing about the transformation of glycerin into dioxyacetone by 

 the action of symbiotes Isolated from the testicles of pigeons apon a 4 per cent 

 solution of glycerin in yeast kept at 40° <". for 16 to 20 days. Bxperimenta 



are alBO rep.. iied iii which it is Claimed that the pr 38 of .i oxidation ob- 

 tained chemically in vitro l.y Dakin and in vivo by perfusion of organs I 

 been effected by the action of symbiotes upon butyric acid. 



Importance of the ketonic function in metabolism. Its origin by sym- 

 biotes. P. Poamat and H. Bzbrbt {Compt. Rend. Acad, Bci. [Paris], /'."? {1918), 

 No. .'. pp. 94-96).' Continuing the Investigations noted above, the authors .: 

 cuss the role of the ketonic function in the phenomena of catabollsm ami 

 anabolisin, and report experiments Indicating that the symbiotes of mammals 

 and birds are powerful agents ,,( ketonlzatton, acting upon various carbony* 

 drates to form among other product- acetyl-methyl-carblnoL it is stated also 

 that under suitable conditions the symbiotes are capable of forming a polysae- 

 charld from sucrose, 



The formation ol the polysaccharld i* said to be accompanied always by 

 the establishment, by means of the symbiotes. of about N 10 alkalinity. With 

 glucose the production .if the polysaccharld was very slight, which is considered 

 to be an indication that the levulose molecule plays an Important part in the 

 formation of the polysaccharld. 



Note on the etiology of scurvy in guinea pigs. A. HABOKfl and S. S. 7 

 {Biochem. Jour., i: {1918), Wo. S. p/» I. The antiscorbutic 



potency of lactose and fructose was tested !>\ administration to guinea p 

 previously rendered scorbutic by n diet of crushed oats and bran with a daily 

 ration of 50 CO. of autoclaved milk. 



