FOODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 561 



arietinum) . It is widely used in Bulgaria and Turkey as a substitute for 

 yeast in the preparation of chick-pea bread. 



The nutritive value of wood, G. Haberlandt {Sitzher. K. Preuss. Akad. 

 Wiss., 1915, pp. 243-257; abs. in Zentbl. Biochem. u. Biophys., 18 (1915), No. 4, 

 pp. 105, 106). — The author states in this article that maple, poplar, elm, linden, 

 and birch woods contain the largest supply of reserve material for use as 

 food. This material becomes available to the body only when the cell walls 

 of the wood are broken down, so that careful milling is absolutely necessary. 

 Chemical analyses of different kinds of wood are given and microscopical 

 studies reported. 



Physiolog'ical-chemical sug'g'estions as to the use of food materials during' 

 the war, T. Bokokny (Naturw. Wchnschr., 30 (1915), Nos. 28, pp. 433-UO; 29, 

 pp. 4^6-461). — In this summary and digest of data, extensive information is 

 given regarding the chemical composition and energj^ value of the most com- 

 mon foods. The demand for protein, fat, carbohydrates, and the different 

 inorganic salts, and energy requirements under various living conditions, are 

 considered and examples given of the use of foods suitable to meet the specific 

 requirements of the body. 



The nutrition of the school child, G. A. Brown (Jour. State Med., 23 (1915), 

 Nos. 11, pp. 329-335; 12, pp. 353-358) .—Among the factors studied with ref- 

 erence to their possible effect upon the nutrition of the child were the nutri- 

 tion and general health of the mother during the antenatal period, the in- 

 dustrial occupation of the mother, and housing and economic conditions. 



The results are reported of a study of the family budgets and dietaries of 

 60 households. The average daily energy value of all the diets studied was 

 3,1G3 calories, and the principal foodstuffs used were bread, potatoes, milk, 

 sugar, beef, and vegetables, including relatively small amounts of oatmeal, 

 peas, beans, etc. 



The following conclusions are drawn, in part : 



" The condition of the mother, respecting nutrition and general health 

 during pregnancy, has a far-reaching influence on the nutrition of the child. 

 Antenatal causes of defective nutrition may act for an indefinite period after 

 the birth of the child. The industrial occupation of the mother has a detri- 

 mental effect on the nutrition of the children. 



*' Housing is related to the state of nutrition of the child. The children from 

 the largest houses are, on the average, heavier and taller than their less for- 

 tunate fellows. The poorest children suffer most in nutrition and growth. 



" The smaller the house the larger is the proportion of persons per room, 

 (a) The proportion of children in one and two roomed houses exceeds the 

 proportion of adults; (b) in the three-roomed houses the proportion of chil- 

 dren to adults per room is equal; (c) and in houses of four or more apart- 

 ments the proportion of adults exceeds that of the children per room. . . . 



" While the laboring classes with a regular income distinctly over 20s. per 

 Aveek generally managed to secure a diet approaching the proper standard for 

 active life ; those with a smaller income, as well as those with an iri-egular 

 income, failed to get a supply of food for the proper development of the body 

 or for the maintenance of the capacity for active work." 



Studies on growth. — II, On the probable nature of the substance promot- 

 ing- growth in young- animals, C. Funk and A. B. Macalltjm (Jour. Biol. 

 Chcm., 23 (1915), No. 2, pp. 413-421, figs. 3). — In continuation of previous work 

 (E. S. R., 32, p. 360), feeding experiments with laboratory animals (rats) are 

 reported. 



Casein, sugar, starch, agar, a salt mixture, and either ordinary or purified 

 butter constituted the basal ration. When fed with this diet alone the animals 



