FOODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 465 



This suggests that the thyro-parathyroid glands may play a rule in the 

 production of inverting enzyms similar to that generally assign»?d to the pan- 

 creas in the production of erepsin and lactase. There is no reason to assume, 

 however, that this influence of the thyroid is as direct and immediate as that 

 of the pancreas. The contrary is implied by the fact that the elimination of 

 sugar increased in proportion as the general symptoms consequent upon the 

 thyroidectoniy became more pronounced. 



The sigTiificance of pentosans as a source of energy in the animal organ- 

 ism, P. ScHi»OKiCH (Biochem. Ztschr., 55 (1913), No. 5-6, pp. 370-392).— lu 

 the respiration experiments here described, fixed quantities of arabinose or of 

 grape sugar were giv«i to a dog, sometimes in addition to a regular diet and 

 soiueLimes during fasting. 



It was found that both arabinose and grape sugar decreased the oxidation 

 of the animal. The effect of arabinose was much greater than that of grape 

 sugar and was more noticeable when the material was given with a normal 

 diet than during fasting. It was also observed that arabinose did not affect 

 the processes of oxidation immediately after resorption, although from 40 to 

 50 per cent of the dose was retained in the body. This fact suggests the pos- 

 sible storage of arabinose in combination with other molecules, analogous to 

 the formation of glycogen from the hexoses. 



The biological significance of phosphorus to the growing organism. — I, 

 Investigations into the influence of phosphorus on the development of 

 animals and on the metabolism of phosphorus and nitrogen, M. Masslow 

 (Biochem. Ztschr., 55 (1913), No. 1-2, pp. 45-62).— The w^ork here reported was 

 done with young dogs, metabolism experiments being combined with analyses 

 of all body tissues after death. Control animals were given a normal diet; 

 others received cow's milk ; others diets rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates, 

 but poor in phosphorus; and still others the same diets but with sodium phos- 

 phate, calcium glycero phosphate, and lecithin added. 



None of the experimental diets was able to sustain life for more than a 

 few weeks after the puppies had reached the age at which a mixed diet would 

 be normally received. 



Concerning phosphates, A. Maybaum (Ztschr. Gesam. Getrcidexc, 5 (1913), 

 No. 8, pp. 229-231). — According to the author, the diet of the well-to-do, which 

 contains materials rich in phosphorus, such as vegetables, eggs, milk dishes, 

 and meat of different sorts, supplies the body with more phosphorus than it 

 needs, and so the kind of bread which is used is not a matter of importance. 

 In general, he believes that the diet, even of those in straitened circumstances, 

 supplies phosphorus enough, and therefore there is no reason for substituting 

 black bread for white bread, since the excess of phosphorus which the black 

 bread supplies is not needed, while the nitrogenous material and carbohydrates 

 which the black bread supplies in smaller quantity than the white are both 

 valuable and necessai-y. 



Observations during training of a rowing crew, A. Lehrnbecher (Arch. 

 Hyg., 81 (1913), No. 1, pp. 1-1^2, fig. i).— The author, himself a member of the 

 crew, made careful observation of the body weight, temperature, pulse rate, 

 and urine of rowers during 6 weeks' training for a race. Fatigue was also 

 studied by means of the dynamometer, measurements of skin sensitiveness, and 

 simple arithmetical tests. Subjective impressions were noted in connection with 

 the psychology of training. 



It can not be denied, the author points out, that rowing in races involves 

 certain dangers. Even with most careful selection of the men. overstraining 

 of the heart, nervous disturbances, and the like may occur. Careful training, 



