FOODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 65 



chlorid showed no reteDtiou of nitrogeu. This is contrary to the results 

 obtained by otlier workers. The conclusion is reached that ammonium chlorid 

 is incapable of acting as a source of nitrogen supply for the body. It would 

 appear from these experiments that in considering the influence of ammonium 

 salts upon metabolism distinction must be made between the organic and the 

 inorc:anic ammonium salts. 



The amount of indol obtained by artificial digestion and decay of different 

 proteids, W. von Moraczewski (Biochem. Ztachr., 51 {1913), No. 4, pp. 340- 

 354)- — The author determined the quantity of indol obtained from artificial 

 digestion of casein, the effect of sugar, fat, etc., upon the amount formed, and 

 particularly the conditions of indol formation, namely, pancreatic digestion 

 and putrefaction. Other proteid substances, including thymus, egg white, egg 

 yolk, serum globulin, lactalbumin, fibrin, brain, edestin, meat of different sorts, 

 lentils, etc., were subjected to digestion and to putrefaction and the quantities 

 of indol specific for each were measured. 



The influence of the diet on the excretion of indol and indican by healthy 

 men, W. von Moraczewski and E. Herzfeld {Biochem. Ztsclir., 51 {1013), 

 No. 4, PP- 314-339). — The amount of substance giving an indol reaction obtained 

 from urine by distillation was compared with the indican content of the urine 

 on different diets. An increase was noted on a fat, a vegetable, and a gelatin 

 diet, and a decrease on a carbohydrate and a sugar diet. Adding protein 

 caused an increase as compared with carbohj'drate and a decrease as compared 

 with fat. 



The indol was determined directly in the feces and also after fermentation. 

 The quantity obtained in both cases was increased by fat and also by a diet 

 rich in protein, while carbohydrates diminished indol in both portions and 

 vegetables protected protein from putrefactive changes. The nitrogen and 

 chlorids of the feces showed the same relation. A direct connection between 

 the indican of the urine and the indol of the feces was often noted, both increas- 

 ing or diminishing at the same time. 



The influence of starvation upon the creatin content of muscle, V. C. 

 Myers and M. S. Fine {Jour. Biol. Ghcm., 15 {1913), No. 2, pp. 2S3-304).— 

 Numerous experiments are reported which are a continuation of previous 

 work (E. S. R., 28, p. SG5). 



During the early part of starvation the creatin concentration of the muscle 

 is increased, but it decreases at the close of the period, owing to the great loss 

 of creatin in the urine during starvation due to decomposition of the muscle 

 tissue. It is the opinion of the authors that the evidence in support of the 

 view that creatin and creatinin are independent in metabolism is weaker than 

 that in support of the view that urinary creatinin is derived from the muscle 

 creatin. 



The influence of carbohydrate feeding- upon the creatin content of muscle, 

 V. C. Myers and M. S. Fine {Jour. Biol. Chem., 15 {1913), No. 2, pp. 305-310).^ 

 Experiments with animals which were fed almost exclusively upon carbo- 

 hydrate for varyiu.? periods of time showed that the effect of carbohydrate 

 feeding upon the creatin content of the muscle is very similar to that observed 

 in starvation. After a long period of carbohydrate feeding an even greater 

 reduction in the creatin content of the muscle than that which occurs in 

 starvation may be observed. The decreased elimination of creatin after carbD- 

 hydrate feeding is due to the sparing action of carbohydrate on protein 

 metabolism. 



Calorimetry of the work of the kidneys, F. Tangl {Biochem. Ztschr.. 53 

 {1913), No. 1-2, pp. 36-40). — Experiments carried out with the calorimeter, 

 described in the following article, indicated that S.2 per cent of the total heat 



