5G4 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



tory sUuIy of experiinojilnl beri-beri in pigeous, the ]n-csoucc of certain bacteria 

 was noted in the internal organs of tlie animals developing the disease. Inocu- 

 lation of the animals with cultures of this organism produced symptoms which 

 were indistinguishable clinically from typical polyneuritis gallinarum. 



The treatment and prevention of pellagra, J. Goldbebgkr, C. IL Waring, and 

 D. G. WiLLETs {Pub. Health Rpt^. [U. S.], 29 (JOVf), No. 43, pp. 2821-2825).— 

 An extended study of this disease tends to strengthen the conclusion that it is 

 neither infectious nor contagious, but essentially due to some fault in the diet 

 in which the proportion of animal or leguminous protein is abnormally small 

 and the nonleguminous vegetable component abnormally large. Experience 

 shows that pellegra does not develop among those who consume a mixed, well- 

 l)alanced, and varied diet. The prevention of the disease depends upon the 

 substitution of a mixed, well-balanced diet for the one-side<l diet. The most 

 important dietaiy change recommended is an increased use of milk, eggs, lean 

 meat, and legumes, either fresh or dried beans and peas (not canned). A 

 greater use of dried legumes, as a cheap and readily variable source of protein, 

 is urged. 



Protein metabolism in fever and during work — studies regarding' the 

 nitrogen, minimum, R. Kocher (Dent. Arch. Klin. Med., 115 {1914), No. 1-2, 

 pp. 82-123; abs. in Zcntbl. Biochem. v. Biophys., 11 (1914), No. 5-6, p. 178).— 

 Observations upon fever patients who were given a diet which supplied 80 

 calories per kilogram of body weight showed the nitrogen metabolism to be 

 excessive. With a decrease in temperature to normal the nitrogen minimum 

 was reached. A corresponding decrease in the values of uric acid, creatinin. 

 phosphorus, and sulphur was also noted. The author suggests that the rise in 

 body temperature during fever may be caused by a specific action of the fever 

 on the cell protoplasm. 



The influence of the high-calorie diet on the respiratory exchanges in 

 typhoid fever, W. Coleman and E. F. Du Bois (Arch. Int. Med., U {1914), 

 No. 2, pp. 168-209, figs. 4). — From the large amount of experimental data 

 obtained in 134 observations with a universal respiration apparatus upon a 

 number of patients, the conclusions drawn are in part as follows: 



" The large amount of food administered exhibits little or no specific dynamic 

 action, thus removing the chief theoretical objection to the use of a liberal diet 

 in typhoid fever. In the' high-calorie cases approximately 10 per cent must be 

 added to cover the increase in metabolism caused by bodily exertion incident to 

 moving about the bed. The theoretical requirement must bo exceeded by from 

 50 to 110 per cent in oi'der to bring the patient into nitrogen and weight equilib- 

 rium. The fate of the excess has not yet been discoveretl." 



Studies regarding the possibility of an inversion of the daily temperature 

 curve of man, O. Polimanti {Ztschr. Allg. Physiol.,. 16 {1914), No. 3-4, pp. 

 ,')06-512, figs. 2). — Observations of the variations, during the 24-hour cycle, in 

 body temperature of a man. who for a period of six years had worked nights and 

 slept day.s, showed no tendency for a reversion of the normal temperature curve. 

 The temperature curve in this case was essentially the same as that of a man 

 of normal habits. 



The effect on man of winter climbing in high altitudes, X. Zuntz {Separate 

 from Ztschr. Balneol., Kllmat. n. Kurort Hyg., 6 {1913-14). No. 18, pp. 3). — 

 The author took the opportunity presented by a walking trip up the Brocken 

 during the winter of 1913 to collect data regarding the effect of severe exercise 

 in cold w?ather at high altitude. Thirty-one members making the trip filled in 

 questionnaires regarding the effects of the exercise on muscles, breathing, heart 

 action, skin, etc. The weather on the day of the climb was cold and windy, and 

 during the descent there was a severe snowstorm. 



