264 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



The author is of the opinion that a prepared mustard should contain at least 

 5 per cent of sodium chlorid and 0.1 per cent of mustard oil. 



Nutritive value of food, IT. Aron {Biochem. Zixchr., 92 (IDIS), No. 3-4, pp. 

 211-233, fifjs. 12). — This is a general discussion of the various factors other 

 than calorilic value which must be taken into consideration in determining 

 the real value of food materials. The importance of hutter fat and of vegetable 

 extracts is emphasized particularly. 



Studies on bacterial nutrition. — The utilization of nitrogenous compounds 

 of definite cliemical composition, S. A. Ivosek and L. P. Kkttgkr {-Jour. Infect. 

 Diseases, 24 {1919), No. 4, pp. 301-321). — An extensive review of the literature 

 ou bacterial nutrition is given, and results are reported of an investigation of 

 the ability of various species of bacteria to utilize the simpler nitrogenous sub- 

 stances of known chemical structure, such as amino acids, puvins, and ex- 

 tractives, and combinations of these substances. 



All of the amino acids employed, with the possible exception of tryptophan, 

 showed similar ability to furnish nitrogen to certain organisms. Tryi)tophan 

 appeared to possess a slight advantage over the other amino acids but, con- 

 trary to expectation, lysin sliowed no greater power than the monamino acids. 

 Tlie organisms which were able to develop on an amino acid medium apiieared 

 to require only small amounts of the amino acid. When only a few hundred 

 cells were introduced into the amino acid culture medium multiplication toolt 

 place as usual, and eventually the growth attained was as luxuriant as that 

 resulting from a much larger inoculation. This is thought to indicate that some 

 organisms are able to assimilate the amino acid nitrogen without the aid of 

 enzym action. When glycerol was withdrawn from the medium, the bacterial 

 development was not so luxuriant lint dextrose could I>e substituted for 

 glycerol. 



With the exception of the cholera vibrio, tlie organisms which utilize an 

 amino acid developed with equal readiness on dianunonium acid phosphate and 

 on allantoin. Urea, tauriu, creatin, hypoxauthin, and uric acid were inferior 

 to the amino acids as available sources of nitrogen. Combinations of amino 

 acids or of amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compovmds appeared to 

 possess little value over any one of the single amino acids. 



Bacillus anthracis, Proteus zenkeri, B. abortus, B. diphtheriw, B. hoffmanni, 

 B. (Ijfscnteriw, and all of the cocci studied, with the exception of Sarcina lutca 

 in a few cases, consistently failed to develop in all of the media employed. 

 Bacterium pnUornm developed slightly in one instance only, while B. typhoKUS 

 exhibited a slight growth in a few mediums. 



Suggestions offered as to the probable nature of the nitrogenous bodies re- 

 quired by these species for initial development are dipei)tids or polypeptids, 

 vitamins, and simple and unstable bodies which defy all known methods of 

 isolation. 



The pathogenesis of deficiency disease, R. RIcCarrison (Indian Jour. Med. 

 Research, 6 (1919), No. 3, pp. 275-355, figs. 22).— This article consists of the 

 report of an extensive .study of clinical, anatomical, and histological Inulings 

 in pigeons subjected to dietetic deliciiMicy. The paper is dividcni into three 

 parts, (1) the effects of inanition alone, (2) the effects of a milled and auto- 

 claved rice dietary alon(>, and (.'?) tlie effects of this (!!(>) ary in association 

 with septicemic states. 



Six pigeons deprived of all food with the exception of water died in an 

 average period of 12 days, with an average loss of 23 per cent of their original 

 body weight. The thynuis, testicles, spleen, ovary, and pancreas were found 



