860 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



p()ssil)ilities : (1) That the resting metabolism in the post-absorptive state 

 might be unusually low, and (2) that the output of heat corresponding to a 

 given amount of muscular w^ork might be diminished. Data confirming the first 

 possibility are summarized from the literature, and additional data to the same 

 effect are presented. These w^ere obtained in metabolism experiments similar to 

 those reported by Caspari.i 



The subject in the present case was a vegetarian who lived mainly on a diet 

 of uncooked fruit, vegetables, and nuts. The experimental period covered more 

 than two months, during which time the caloric value of the diet beginning at 

 from 400 to 500 calories per day was adjusted to 1,000 calories, at which value 

 the weight remained constant for six weeks. Throughout the whole series of 

 experiments, the resting metabolism in the post-absorptive state determined by 

 the Douglas bag method and calculated per kilogram of body weight was con- 

 stant at 19.1, the mean for this weight under ordinary conditions being 25.5 Tper 

 kilogram. 



The second possibility was tested by determining the increase in the respira- 

 tory exchange at different rates of walking in the subject of the above study and 

 in a person of approximately the same size and weight on a normal diet. No 

 increase in efficiency during the muscular work was noted as the result of under- 

 feeding. The conclusion is, therefore, drawn that the saving in energy in pro- 

 longed undernutrition is due to a diminution in the resting metabolism as well 

 as in the metabolism during muscular relaxation, but not to an increased eflSci- 

 ency during muscular work. 



Fats and vitamins (Chem. Umschau Geb. Fette, Oele, Wachse. u. Harze, 27 

 {1920), Nos. 10, pp- 91-108; 11, pp. 109-120).— This is a brief discussion of the 

 fat-soluble vitamin from the standpoint of technical fat chemistry. 



The fat-soluble A vitamin and xerophthalmia, A. D. Emmett {Science, 

 n. ser., 52 {1920), No. 1S37, pp. 157, 158).— With a view to determining whether 

 a positive lack of fat-soluble A is the direct cause of xerophthalmia or whether 

 the condition is due primarily to infection, as claimed by Bulley (E. S. R., 42, 

 p. 59), the author has compiled data bearing upon the prevalence of xerophthal- 

 mia among a large number of white and black and white rats fed on various 

 synthetic rations in which the presence or absence of fat-soluble A was known. 



Of 122 rats on a ration lacking in fat-soluble A, 120 sooner or later showed 

 positive signs of xeropththalmia, while in 103 rats whose ration contained fat- 

 soluble A but no water-soluble B, and 216 controls whose ration contained both 

 fat-soluble A and water-soluble B, no cases of xerophthalmia developed. 



Repeated attempts to transmit the disease by passing sterile gauze threads 

 over the edge of the lids of the sore eyes and inoculating the eyes of the other 

 rats gave negative results. Treatment of advanced cases of sore eyes with 

 saturated boric acid or with a silver protein solution failed to relieve the condi- 

 tion. When, however, as little as 1 to 2 per cent of an extract containing fat- 

 soluble A was added to the deficient ration the xerophthalmia disappeared and 

 the rats increased in weight. 



The author concludes that " xerophthalmia is primarily a dietary deficiency 

 disease, due to a lack of the fat-soluble vitamin. The certainty of the prevalence 

 of the disease depends on the high purity of the essentials that enter into the 

 ration and on the length of time of feeding, younger animals showing the symp- 

 toms much sooner than older ones." 



Contribution to the knowledge of organic food materials with specific 

 action, E. Abderhalden and H. Schaumann {Pfliiger's Arch. Physiol., 172 



» Arch. Physiol. [Pfliiger], 309 (1905), p. 473. 



