662 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Contribution to the question of infant feeding, H. Timpe (Ztschr. Fleisch 

 u. Milchhyg., 25 U915), Nos. 11, pp. 257-262; 18, pp. 276-281; 19, pp. 289-291).— 

 A summary and digest of data. 



The treatment of infantile beri-beri with the extract of tiqui-tiqui, J. 

 AxBERT {Philippine Jour. Sci., Sect. B, 10 {1915), :So. 1, pp. 81-85). — Clinical 

 observations are reported which indicate that treatment of infantile beri-beri 

 with extract of tiqui-tiqui (rice polishings) is very efficient, especially if tlie 

 disease is taken in the early stages. 



Miscellaneous notes and comments on beri-beri, R. R. Williams and J. A. 

 Johnston {Philippine Jour. Sci., Sect. B, 10 {1915), Xo. 5, pp. S37^-',3).—On 

 the basis of clinical observations and animal experimentations, as yet incom- 

 plete, the authors suggest the following tentative hypothesis: 



"In beri-beri there exists a toxic substance which produces the symptoms of 

 the disease. If produced rapidly or in great quantities this toxic substance 

 brings about a condition similar to anaphylactic shock, resulting in acute beri- 

 beri. If gradually developetl tliere results chronic beri-beri with progressive 

 nerve lesions. This toxic substance may be produced by a hypothetical organ- 

 ism or, as may perhaps seem more probable, may be the product of normal or 

 slightly disturbed metabolism. The vitamins are then necessary antidotes for 

 the poison and are, .therefore, to be regarded as therapeutic agents rather than 

 foods." 



The importance of lime in the nutrition of man, animals, and plants, B. 

 Heinzr {XatuririMxcnsrhnften, 3 {1915), No. .'i2, pp. 536-5.'f0). — A summary and 

 digest of data based largely on the work of Emmerich and Loew (E. S. R., 31, 

 p. 860.) Examples are cited to show that it is often beneficial to add calcium 

 salts to the daily diet. 



The influence of nutrition and sickness on the growth of the brain during 

 the first year of life, W. Sawidowitsch {Jnaug. Diss., Univ. Bo-lin, 191); ahs. 

 in Zcnthl. Physiol, 30 {1915), Xo. 7, pp. 321, 322).— \i> a result of oxperimental 

 studies, the author concludes that the kind of diet has no influence on the 

 growth of the brain so long as the food constituents are present in the proper 

 proportion. A diet containing neither fat nor lipoids leads to a stand-still in 

 brain growth; disturbances in nutrition of all kinds limit growth. In general 

 it is thought that length, body growth, and brain volume A'ary indeiiendently. 



The influence of the diet on the nitrogen and chlorin content of perspira- 

 tion, E. Berky {Biochein. Ztschr., 72 {1915), Xo. 3-.^, pp. 2S5-302, fig- 1).— 

 Experimental data are reported which indicate that the composition of the diet 

 has practically no influence on the percentages of nitrogen and chlorin in per- 

 spiration. 



The occuiTence of methyl alcohol in the urine in the case of different 

 diets, T. vox Fellenberg {Mitt. Leben.im. rntersurh. v. Ifjig., Schivci:. Clsnd- 

 htsamt., 6 {1915), Xo. 1, pp. 24-37). — From the results of feetling experiments 

 with normal men, the author concludes that on a pectin-free diet only small 

 amounts of methyl alcohol occur in the urine (about 0.4-1 mg. i^er 750 gm). 

 When a diet rich in pectin was eaten, the amount of methyl alcohol increased 

 to 0.8-2.5 mg. The pathological effects of methyl alcohol on the system are 

 briefly discussed. 



The question of ferment adaptation, I. Koopman {Tntcrnat. Ztschr. Phi/s. 

 Chcm. Biol., 2 {1915), Xo. 4-5, pp. 266-271). — Experiments in vitro, undertaken 

 to determine whether the digestive ferments adapt their composition and prop- 

 erties to the kind of food eaten, are reported. The action of ptyalin was found 

 to be dependent principally upon temperature, though it is thought possible that 

 the composition of the diet also exerts some influence. 



