860 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The influence of salts on respiratory metabolism, W. Madeb ( Unter- 

 suchungcn iiber den Einfluss von Salzen auf den respiratorischen Stoffwechsel. 

 Imiug. Diss., Giessen, 1913, pp. 31; abs. in Zentbl. Physiol, 29 (1914), No. 2, 

 p. 89). — The values are given of respiratory quotients determined for diets 

 containing various inorganic salts. 



Metabolism experiments carried out under decreased partial pressure of 

 the oxygen in the air breathed, M. Bache (Stoffkoechselveisuche bei Herab- 

 aetztmg dcs Saucrstoff-Partiuldruckes in der Respirationsluft. Inaug. Diss., 

 Univ. Halle, 1913; abs. in Zentbl. Physiol, 29 (1914), ^o. 2, p. 8S).—A decreased 

 partial pressure of oxygen produced changes in metabolism. Long-continued 

 maintenance in this atmosphere induced a certain nitrogen retention, wliich 

 continued, however, only under these conditions. Maintenance for a few hours 

 each day in oxygen-poor air led to a prolonged disturbance of protein metabolism. 



The kinetic system, G. W. Ceile (Proc. Amer. Phil Soc, 53 (1914), A'«- 215, 

 pp. 263-286). — On the basis of a large amount of clinical and experimental 

 data the author has formulated a theory to explain the conversion of latent 

 energy into kinetic energy. Quotations follow : 



" To become adapted to their environment animals are transformers of energy. 

 This adaptation to environment is made by means of a system of organs 

 evolved for the purpose of converting potential energy into heat and motion. 

 The principal organs and tissues of this system are the brain, the suprarenals. 

 the thyroid, the muscles, and the liver." " The brain is the great central bat- 

 tery which drives the body; the thyroid governs the conditions favoring tissue 

 oxidation; the suprarenals govern immediate oxidation processes; the liver 

 fabricates and stores glycogen ; and the muscles are the great converters of 

 latent energy into heat and motion. . . . Each is a vital linli — each plays its 

 particular I'ole and one can not compensate for the other. A change in any 

 link of the kinetic chain modifies proportionately the entire kinetic system, 

 which is no stronger than its weakest link." 



A respiration Incubator for the study of the energy metabolism of infants, 

 J. E. MuRLiN (Amcr. .Jour. Diseases Children; 9 (1915), No. 1. pp. 43-58, figs. 

 7). — ^An apparatus is described which is designed for the study of the metabolism 

 of infants. The respiration chamber is large enough to contain an infant one 

 year of age and is maintained at constant temperature by use of an electric 

 heater and cooling coils contained in the air space which surrounds the chamber. 

 Ventilation and measurement of the respiratory quotient are accomplished by 

 a closed system for removing the water vapor and carbon dioxid produced. 

 Oxygen, to replace that consumed by the infant, is admitted automatically by 

 magnetic devices operated by a spirometer. The muscular activity of the 

 infant is measured by means of tambours connected by rubber tubing with 

 recording devices. 



Control experiments with diabetic dogs and alcohol expermients showed an 

 average error in the respiratory quotient for all of the daily averages of 1.8 

 per cent. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Live stock genetics (Jour. Heredity, 6 (1915), No. 1, pp. 21-31. figs. 5). — 

 This is a review, by the research committee on animal breeding of the Amer- 

 ican Genetic Association, of the work in experimental animal breeding now 

 under way at the various state experiment stations. 



IBibliography on animal breeding] (Ztschr. Induktive Abstant. u. Terer- 

 bungslchre, 13 (1914), No. 1-2. pp. (12)-(21), (23), (24)).— A. bibliography of 

 new literature on animal breeding, heredity, anatomy, and physiology. 



