1917] FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 61 



The nature of the dietary deficiencies of the oat kernel, E. V, McCoixttm, 

 N. SiMMONDS, and W. Pitz {Jour. Biol. Chem., 29 (1917), No. 2, pp. S41-S54, 

 figs. 9). — This paper reports data obtained in feeding experiments with labora- 

 tory animals regarding the supplementary relations between the oat kernel 

 and isolated food factors. The results of these experiments may be sum- 

 marized briefly as follows : 



The proteins of the oat kernel seem to be of poorer quality than those of 

 the maize or wheat kernel. With all other dietary factors properly adjusted, 

 9 per cent of oat protein served to induce a small amount of growth at the 

 beginning of the experiments, but cessation of growth followed after about one 

 month and thereafter the animal remained stationary in weight or declined. 

 Casein does not appear to supplement the proteins of the oat kernel satisfac- 

 torily and the addition of this to oat proteins does not induce growth at the 

 maximum rate, as does the combination of casein with wheat protein or with 

 maize protein. Combinations of gelatin and oat proteins in about equal pro- 

 portions proved to be superior to casein and oat protein combinations. 



" The unidentified dietarj- factor fat-soluble A is present in very small amount 

 in the oat kernel. It is not possible to supplement the oat kernel with inorganic 

 salts and purified protein so as to induce growth beyond the third month. The 

 inclusion of butter fat or some other substance which supplies the unknown A 

 prevents the failure at this point, just as it does in experiments where the 

 ration consists of purified protein, salts, carbohydrates, and an extract which 

 furnishes the dietary factor B. 



" The whole oat kernel, with the hulls removed in the laboratory by coarse 

 grinding and fanning, will not induce any growth in young rats. A mixture of 

 hulled oats or rolled oats with 5 per cent of butter fat Induces very slow 

 increase in body weight for at least 125 days. 



" The oat kernel, like unpolished rice, wheat, wheat germ, maize kernel, 

 alfalfa leaves, cabbage, and clover leaves, contains a liberal supply of the 

 water-soluble B, the preparations of which induce relief from polyneuri- 

 tis. . . . 



" The addition of any single dietary component as protein, inorganic salts, or 

 fat-soluble A does not supplement the oat kernel so as to induce appreciable 

 growth. The addition of two dietary factors to the oat kernel serves to induce, 

 good growth during the first 60 days when one of the additions is a suitable 

 salt mixture. Without modifying the inorganic content of the ration when 

 this is derived solely from the oat kernel . . . rats have not made any marked 

 increase in body weight. When the oat kernel is fed supplemented by but two 

 dietary factors there is always early failure with loss of weight and death 

 following the brief period of growth. . . . 



" The oat kernel, like the wheat kernel, appears to cause injury to the animals 

 when their diet is of such a character as to lower their vitality. It is not 

 necessary to assume the presence of something toxic in the oat kernel to account 

 for the injury which results from the presence of a high content of oats in a 

 monotonous food mixture taken over a considerable period. Oats produce feces 

 of a pasty character which makes their elimination difficult, and in all probabil- 

 ity tend to debilitate the animal. . . . 



"When the oat kernel is supplemented with casein, a suitable salt mixture, 

 and butter fat, growth may proceed to the normal adult size at the normal rate 

 in some animals, but in general growth is slower than the normal rate. . . . 

 The authors have been able to secure reproduction with these rations in but a 

 single instance, and the young survided but one day." 



Further investigations on this subject are in progress. 



