1919] FOODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 563 



tain constant weight when fed with fat was about one-half that required when 

 fed with starch. 



The author considers that these results show that fats play an important 

 role in the utilization of protein, a role which carbohydrates are powerless to 

 fill. 



Supplementary relationships between the proteins of certain seeds, B. V. 

 McColi.um, N. SlMMOlfDB, and H. T. Parsons (Jour. Biol. Chem., 37 (1919), 

 No. 1, pp. 155-178, figs, 7). — The present paper, which is a continuation of 

 studies previously aoted (13. S. It., 40, p. 69), reports the results of a study 

 of the relative values of various mixtures of proteins from two seeds, one 

 furnishing i and the other § of the total protein of the food mixture. The 

 protein was fed at the plane of intake of 9 per cent of the dry food mixture. 

 Observations were made of growth and of the variations from the normal in 

 the usual functions of the adult animal, such as reproduction and nourishment 

 of the young. Individual differences in vitality were compensated by the use 

 of data from a group of four or five animals fed at the same time and with the 

 same rations. 



The results show that In general the proteins of the two seeds failed to 

 supplement each other to any marked extent. The best growth curves resulted 

 from a mixture of i flaxseed oil meal and g rye, and from $ peas and § millet. 

 Reproduction records were in nearly all cases better than when the protein 

 was furnished by a single seed, but the second generation was unable to grow 

 to maturity and reproduce. 



The minimum of sugar and the hitherto unconsidered origin of carbo- 

 hydi-ates, H. Biekhy and P. Portier (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 81 

 (1918), No. 11, pp. 574~576). — The authors discuss the question of the isodynamic 

 substitution of fats for carbohydrates, and offer experimental evidence to 

 prove that there exists a sugar minimum as well as a nitrogen minimum. This 

 minimum varies with the nature of the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates of 

 the ration, a certain equilibrium being necessary among these three factors. 



Vitamin studies. — I, Observations on the catalase activity of tissues in 

 avian polyneuritis, R. A. Dutcher (Jour. Biol. Chem., 36 (1918), No. 1, pp. 

 63-72, figs. 2). — Data on work done by the author, with the assistance of F. A. 

 Collatz, at the Minnesota Experiment Station are presented, which show that 

 the catalase content of tissues was lowered to the extent of 44.4 per cent in 

 a\ian polyneuritis. Polyneuritic pigeons which had been given a water-alcohol 

 extract of wheat embryo containing water-soluble B possessed tissues approxi- 

 mately normal in catalase content. Body temperatures of about 41.5° C. 

 (100.7° F.) in normal pigeons were found to be lowered appreciably in avian 

 polyneuritis. 



These results would seem to indicate that polyneuritis is accompanied by in- 

 complete or partial oxidation, with the accumulation in the tissue's of products 

 of incomplete oxidation. It is considered probable that water-soluble vitamins 

 function directly or indirectly in the stimulation of oxidative processes, thereby 

 clearing the tissues of toxic materials. 



It is pointed out that the order in which the tissues group themselves as to 

 catalase content is practically the same as the order of the tissues when grouped 

 according to their metabolic activity and also as the order of their content of 

 water-soluble vitamin. 



Vitamin studies, II, III (Jour. Biol. Chem.. 36 (1918), No. 3, pp. 547-555).— 

 Two papers are presented in continuation of the work noted above. 



II. Does icater-soluble vitamin function as a catalase activator? R. A. 

 Dutcher and F. A. Collatz (pp. 547-550). — This is a report of experiments to 



