266 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



The influence of heavy metals on the isolated intestine, W. Sat.ant and 

 C. W. MiTCHKLL {Amer. Jour. Phijsiol., 39 (1916), No. 4, pp. 355-374, figs. 14). 



The respiratory process in muscle and the nature of muscular motion, 

 W. M. Fletchek and F. G. Hopkins (Proc. Roy. Soc. [London], Ser. B, 89 

 (1917), No. B 619, pp. 444-467, figs. 8).— This lecture deals with the intra- 

 molecular oxygen and the theory of " inogen," the effects of oxygen upon muscle, 

 lactic acid in muscle, and the heat production of muscle. From a consideration 

 of aU the data presented, the authors bring out the fact that the actual 

 chemical changes which underlie the contraction, fatigue, and recovery of 

 muscle are relatively simple and that the chemical changes themselves are 

 not complex or obscure, the complexity being found only in the condition under 

 which they occur. A bibliography is appended. 



Clinical calorimetry, XIX-XXV (Arch. Int. Med., 19 (1917), No. 5, pp. 

 823-957). — Seven articles are presented. 



XIX. The basal metabolism o/ old men, by J. C. Aub and E. F. DuBois (pp. 

 823-831, figs. 2). — The subjects of these experiments were from 77 to S3 years 

 old and w^ere in good health, considering their ages. The average basal heat 

 production, as determined by calorimeter experiments, was found to be 35.1 

 calories per square meter of body surface per hour, which Is 12 per cent below 

 the average for men between the ages of 20 and 50. The results obtained by 

 direct and indirect calorimetry agreed closely and the respiratory quotients 

 were all within normal limits. 



XX. The effect of caffcin on the heat production, by J. H. Means, J. C. Aub, 

 E. F. DuBois, and G. F. Soderstrom (pp. 832-8v39, fig. 1).— The authors re- 

 view the literature regarding the effect of caffein on metabolism and reix)rt 

 the results of caloiimoter experiments on four normal men. After a preliminary 

 period and one or two hours' observation of the subjects' normal basal metab- 

 olism, the caflfein was Ingested in the form of the pure alkaloid dissolved In 

 pure water. Studies were made of the basal metabolism after the ingestion 

 of caffein, of the respiratory quotient, of the elimination of water from the slcin 

 and lungs, of the elimination of nitrogen, and of the pulse rate. The results 

 of the Investigation are summarized as follows: 



"An Increase of from 7 to 23 per cent in the basal metabolism was found in 

 four normal subjects after receiving from 8 to 10 grains of caffein alkaloid 

 (8.6 rag. per kilogram of l)ody weight). After taking the drug there was no 

 significant change in the pulse rate, in the respiratory quotient, In the pro- 

 portions of the various foodstuffs metabolized, or in the percentage of heat lost 

 in the vaporization of water. The Independent methods of direct and Indirect 

 calorimetry gave results which agreed within 1 per cent." 



XXI. The basal metabolism of dwarfs and legless men with obsertmtion^ on 

 the specific dynamic action of protein, by J. C. Aub, E. F. DuBois. and G. F. 

 Soderstrom (pp. S40-S64, figs. 8). — This paper reports the results of calorl- 

 metric observations upon five dwarfs, two legless men, and six normal (male) 

 controls. The results are summarized as follows: 



"The legless men and the dwarfs with apparently normal endocrine systems 

 showed. In relation to their surface area, the same level of metabolism as 

 normal men. The law of surface area holds good for men of unusual body 

 shape. 



" The dwarfs with Involvement of the ductless glands and symptoms of 

 cretinism showed a marked reduction In metabolism below the average found 

 in normal cases, as has been reported by other authorities. 



" Following the ingestion of large quantities of meat, the excretion of urinary 

 nitrogen during the earlier hours Is not an accurate Index of the protein 

 metabolism. The sulphur excretion Is more rapid than the nitrogen excretion. 



