FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 171 



The physiological feeding of infants, E. Pritchard {London and Glasgow, 

 1909, 3. ed., rev. and euL, pp. XVI+J/69, figs. 10). — According to the uutlior, this 

 handbook on the practice and principles of infant feeding has been enlarged and 

 entirely rewritten. Among the general topics discussed are breast feeding ; the 

 modification of cow's milk ; milk, its supply and preservation ; digestion and the 

 development of the digestive organs ; physiological feeding and its relation to nu- 

 trition: recipes for preparing certain foods for infants; and milks and milk 

 preparations. 



The metabolism, of nitrogen in man, L. C. Maillard {Rev. 8ei. [Paris], 1/8 

 {1910), I, Nos. 9, pp. 251-26J,; 10, pp. 298^0',, dgms. 8).— A digest and discus- 

 sion of data, a considerable amount of which is supplied by the author's in- 

 vestigations. 



The influence of the removal of fragments of the intestinal tract on the 

 character of nitrogen metabolism. — II, The removal of the small intestines, 

 A. Carrp:l, G. M. Meyer, aud P. A. Levene {Anicr. Jour. Physiol., 2'> {1910), 

 \o. 7, pp. .'i39--'fSo). — From experiments with dogs the following conclusions 

 were drawn : 



"After the removal of the larger part of the small intestine the absorption of 

 the ingested protein is diminished. The absorption of leucin is reduced. The 

 rate of assimilation and of retention of the absorbed protein follows the same 

 course as in normal animals. Comparison of these results with those obtained 

 on animals after gastro-enterotomy makes it suggestive that the stomach and 

 not the intestines is the organ principally concerned in the function of protein 

 assimilation." 



Have proteids of different composition a different nutritive value? — II, 

 The physiological value of casein and its cleavage products, E. Voit aud J. 

 ZiSTERER {Ztschr. Biol, 53 {1910), No. 9-11, pp. 457-.i98).—It is probable that 

 the physiological value of protein is unfavorably influenced by far-reaching 

 cleavage and that this factor varies with the nature of different materials. 

 It follows that, in general, proteid cleavage in the digestive tract is not complete 

 but that, on the other hand, certain definite radicals are resorbed unchanged. 

 The nitrogen-sparing property of different nitrogeneous substances offers a 

 means of judging whether cr not the material is suitable for protein synthesis 

 in the body. 



The use in the animal body of products obtained by far-reaching cleavage 

 of proteids, XII, E. Abderhalden and O. Frank {Ztschr. Physiol. Chcni., 64 

 {1910), No. 2, pp. 158-163). — According to the authors, the results obtained in 

 the experiments showed that the products secured by heating meat with sul- 

 phuric acid wex*e capable of replacing food protein. 



The results of remineralization in conditions of faulty metabolism, such 

 as neurasthenia, etc., H. Higgins (Lancet [London], 1910, I, No. 8, pp. .'f82-Ji91, 

 figs. 2). — On the basis of clinical and analytical data, particularly with reference 

 to the character and partition of nitrogen and mineral constituents of the urine, 

 the author discusses theories of nutrition in relation to mineral constituents of 

 the diet. 



His conclusions, as a whole, he points out, are against the general application 

 of the purin-free diet theories and the low proteid diets, since he believes that 

 serious consequences may attend the disturbance of the mineral equilibrium or 

 balance of the diet. It is undeniable, he states, that such diets have their uses 

 under certain circumstances, "but unless these conditions are defined they are 

 often used for unsuitable cases. Prolonged itersonal experience has convinced 

 me that it is possible to inflict irreparable damage to the tissues by persisting in 

 the use of either unsuitable or inadequate dietaries. Above all, it is necessary 

 48507°— No. 2—10 6 



