464 EXPERIMENT STATIOK RECOED. 



corn added, the pai'ticular constituent of the corn responsihle for the improve- 

 ment being as yet unlinown, but quite possibly a vitamin." 



In explanation of the low calcium content of the rations fed, the authors 

 state that " it appears to be impossible to add to a ration low in phosphorus 

 any considerable amount of calcium carbonate without causing profound diges- 

 tion disturbance. ... No such result follows the administration of calcium 

 carbonate in a ration of natural foods having normal phosphorus content." 



The organic phosphorus compounds of wheat bran, C. J. Robinson and 

 J. H. Mueller (Biochem. Bui, 4 {1915), No. 13, pp. 100-117).— A controversial 

 article. Analytical data are reported, the results of which are in disagreement 

 with the work of Anderson (E. S. R., 3.3, p. 11). 



The maize feeding of normal individuals and pellagrins, P. Albertoni 

 and P. TxJLLio (Arch. Ital. Biol., 62 (IDU), No. 3, pp. 305-325) .—From data 

 derived from a number of physiological experiments in which was studied the 

 effect of consuming a diet consisting of maize alone and of maize to which was 

 added protein from other sources, the authors conclude that pellagra is a 

 '* deficiency disease " produced by subsisting on a diet deficient in animal protein. 



The action of cafEein substances, G. Vinci {Arch. Ital. Biol., 61 {1914), 

 No. 3, pp. 401-439; ahs. in Zcnthl. Physiol., Sa {1915), No. 1, pp. 28, 29).— 

 Following a series of experiments in which various quantities of caft'ein were 

 administered to dogs, it is concluded that as much as 10 mg. of caffein per kilo- 

 gram of body weight (which the author states is much greater than the amount 

 ordinarily ingested by drinking coffee) is without injurious action on the 

 kidneys. 



The rational apportionment of the dietary during the 24-hour cycle, 

 BEEGONifi {Rev. Sci. [Paris], 53 {1915), I, No. 9, pp. 1.38-145, figs. 4).— A sum- 

 mary and digest of data, including a number of curves showing the distribution 

 of the heat production during the 24-hour cj'cle. The relative advantages of 

 eating two and three meals a day at different times are considered by compar- 

 ing the amount and distribution of energy furnished in each case with the 

 nmount of energy required by the body throughout the day. 



Studies on tissues of fasting animals, S. Moegulis, P. E. Howe, and P. B. 

 Hawk {Biol. Bui. Mar. Biol. Lab. Woods Hole, 28 {1915), No. 6, pp. 397-406, 

 pi. 1). — Detailed descriptions are given of the changes occurring in the struc- 

 ture of the tissues of fasting animals, as shown by a histological study of sev- 

 eral laboratory animals which had died of protracted inanition. A short 

 bibliography is included. 



Muscular work and the respiratory quotient, S. Morgulis {Biochem. Bui., 

 3 {1914), No. 11-12, pp. 435-439).— ThQ author observes that the value for the 

 respiratory quotient during muscular work, as frequently detei'niined by others, 

 is extremely high, and suggests that this is due to incomplete removal of water 

 vapor from the ventilating air current by the sulphuric acid absorbers, a part 

 of the water thus being weighed as CO2. He supports the hypothesis of Zuntz 

 that all food materials are soui'ces of energy for muscular work. 



The energy metabolism of infants in relation to age and nutritive condi- 

 tion, J. R. MuKLiN {Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol, and Med., 12 {1914), No. 1, pp. 15, 16; 

 abs. in Zenthl. Physiol., 29 {1914), No. 12, p. 567). — Determinations are recorded 

 of the energy metabolism of children up to 1 year of age. The average value 

 for newly born children, during sleep, was found to be 1.87 calories per hour per 

 kilogram of body weight; 2.38 calories for those of 2 to 4 months; and 2.45 

 calories for tho.se G to 12 months old. Related to the area of body surface, the 

 energy metabolism for the infants of the throe different ages was 25, 35, and 

 42 calories per hour. For poorly nourished children and those under weight 



