POODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 663 



during a 3-month period is tlie basis for the author's conchision that the insuf- 

 ficiency of the maize diet aud intoxication with zein (zoinolytic ferments were 

 found in the blood) are to be considered among the principal causes of pellagra. 



Influence of fat on the gastric digestion of milk, D. S. Riva Rocci 

 (Pediatria [Naples], 22 (1914), No. 1, pp. ^S7-^94).— From the results of a 

 number of digestion experinionts here reported the conclusion is drawn that the 

 presence of fat aids rather than hinders the digestion of the protein of milk. 



The effect of fats and carbohydrates upon nitrogen excretion during 

 protein starvation, H. Zei.ler {Arch. Anat. u. PhyaUA., Plii/siol. Aht., No. 3-4 

 U9U), pp. 213-236; abs. in Zentbl. Biochem. u. Biophys., 17 (Wl/f), No. 13, 

 pp. 4S2, 483). — Experimental data are reported which may be summarized in 

 part as follows : 



A replacing of from 70 to 90 per cent of the carbohydrates in the diet with 

 an equivalent (isodynaraic) amount of fat did not result in exceeding the 

 minimum of nitrogen excretion of a pure carbohydrate diet. In "the opinion of 

 the author, to secure complete combustion of the fat the ratio of fat to carbo- 

 hydrate must be at least 4 : 1. The excretion of creatin and creatinin was the 

 same in the case of pure carbohydrate and pure fat diets. The increase in the 

 excretion of nitrogen noted during maintenance upon a pure fat diet apparently 

 depended upon an increased destruction of protein. 



The influence of starch on infant digestion, T. S. Southworth (Jour. Amer. 

 Med. Assoc, 63 (1914), ^^o. 16. pp. 1375-1377) .—The results of clinical ex- 

 periences are given, from which tlie inference is drawn that with those infants 

 suffering from digestive and nutritional disturbances the principal benefit to 

 be derived from the addition of starch to their food is not only to nourish 

 the infant but to make possible a more orderly digestion of its main nutriment, 

 milk. 



The influence of lactose on the metabolism of an infant, P. B. Talbot and 

 and L. W. Hill (Amer. Jour. Diseases Children, 8 (1914), No. 3, pp. 218-227, 

 fig. 1). — A metabolism experiment with an infant five months of age is reported 

 from which the conclusions drawn are in part as follows : 



" Increasing amoTmts of sugar up to a certain limit increase the retention 

 of nitrogen, and beyond that point may diminish the absorption and possibly 

 the retention of nitrogen. Increasing amounts of sugar do not affect the 

 absorption of fat up to a certain point, beyond which point there may be a 

 diminished absorption of fat." 



Excessive amounts of lactose produced digestive disturbances. 



Creatinin and creatin in starvation, G. Graham and E. P. Poulton (Jour. 

 Physiol., 48 (1914), ^'o. 5, pp. LIII, LIT). — The results are reported of two 

 fasting experiments which indicate that traces of " true " creatin are excreted 

 during absolute starvation lasting for three days. 



Studies in endogenous uric acid metabolism, G. W. Raiziss, H. Dtjbin, and 

 A. I. Ringer (Jour. Biol. Chem., 19 (1914), No. 4, pp. 473-485).— A study of the 

 uric acid excretion of 10 individuals on a meat-free diet gave results consid- 

 erably lower than values reported by other investigators. It was found that 

 under the same conditions of diet and rest different individuals eliminated 

 practically the same amount of uric acid daily. An increase in uric acid 

 excretion was produced by work and a high protein intake. After changing 

 from a mixed diet to a vegetable and meat-free diet the amount of uric acid 

 eliminated was smaller, though for the first few days it increased somewhat — 

 due probably to the excretion of accumulated purin in the body. 



Lipins in nutrition. C. G. McArthur and C. L. Lttckett (Jour. Biol. Chem., 

 20 (1915), No. 2, pp. 161-174, figs. 3). — The results of feeding experiments with 

 laboratory animals (mice) are summarized by the authors as follows. 



