866 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



protein from other sources is supplied by the ordinary mixed diet, of which 

 either pure rye or potato flour forms only a part. While the amount of water 

 contained in the bread may be increased by the use of potatoes, this factor Is 

 easily regulated. The proportions of potato products recommended for use 

 are equal parts of flakes and starch, or of the whole potato flour and starch. 



The use of sugar beets for food, Hekzfeld (Deut. Zuckerindus., 39 {1914), 

 No. 43, pp. 885, 886). — In studying methods of preparing sugar beets for human 

 food, the author conducted experiments to reduce the excessive sweetness, to 

 produce an easily digestible product, and to overcome the disagreeable flavor. 

 The method recommended is as follows: Cut the beets into small pieces (size 

 of a hazelnut), cover with water, add 1 gm. of crystallized sodium carbonate 

 for each 100 gm. of beets, and boil from 20 to 30 minutes. (This treatment is 

 said to soften the beets and to remove the biting taste.) Finally pour off half 

 the water and acidify with vinegar. 



Chemical examination of ghee, K. H. Vakil (Jour. Soc. Chetn. Indus., 34 

 (1915), No. 7, p. 320). — The author defines Indian ghee as a form of clarified 

 butter obtained from cow's milk or from buffalo's milk. Analytical data regard- 

 ing a number of samples are given. 



Heather tea, a substitute for black tea (Schiceiz. Apoth. Ztg., 53 (1915), 

 No. 12, pp. ms, 174)- — It is noted that the flowering sprigs of Calluna vulgaris 

 furnish "a passable substitute for black tea, the infusion having a pale yellow 

 color, a faint odor, and a weakly astringent taste. As the blossoms are visited 

 by the honey-bee, the herb is best gathered after flowering. 



The nutritive value of wood, W. Rasch (Ztschr. Gesam. Oetreidew., 7 

 (1915), No. 5, pp. 130-135). — Comparative analytical data are given regarding 

 beech and birch wood, and rye, wheat, and oat straw. The possibility of their 

 use as food is also discussed somewhat at length. 



Hydrocyanic acid from haricot beans, H. Blair (Pharm. Jour. [London'l, 4. 

 ser., 40 (1915), No. 2689, p. 586).— The presence of hydrocyanic acid in haricot 

 beans was detected from the odor evident upon opening a covered pan in which 

 the beans had been steeped overnight. Laboratory tests, in which 1 gm. of 

 ground beans was macerated in water at 45° C. and the acid washed out by a 

 current of hydrogen and absorbed in potassium hydroxid solution, showed for 

 periods of 27, 49, 87, 117, 198, and 3.58 minutes 0.025, 0.050, 0.080, 0.100, 0.120, 

 and 0.160 mg. of hydrocyanic acid, respectively. 



Botulism, an experimental study, E. C. Dickson (Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc, 

 65 (1915), No. 6, pp. 492-496, figs. 2). — This is a preliminary report of a 

 laboratory investigation which was suggested by an epidemic of botulism ap- 

 parently caused by eating home-canned string beans. It was desired to 

 determine experimentally whether a medium containing animal protein is 

 necessary for the gi-owth of Bacillus hoUilinus and the development of its toxin 

 (as is generally believed), and in addition to obtain more information regard- 

 ing the lesions produced in the body by the toxin. Although botulism is gen- 

 erally spoken of as a type of meat poisoning, the author cites a number of cases 

 of this disease which were caused apparently by eating spoiled vegetables or 

 fruits. 



To determine whether the toxin of B hotuUnus would be developed in a vege- 

 table medium, about 1 cc. of a suspension of the organism in normal salt solu- 

 tion was injected into a number of cans of high-grade commercial string beans. 

 The cans were then resealed and allowed to incubate at room temperature 

 for periods varying from 3 to 12 months. After incubation of the ?ans, aerobic 

 and anaerobic cultures of their contents were made on various media and 

 portions of the fluid contents M'ere injected into laboratory animals (guinea 

 pigs, rabbits, and cats). Pure cultures of B. hotuUnus were obtained from 6 



