864 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



respectively. The diet supplied on an average 69 gm. protein and 2,592 calories 

 of energy, or 46.4 calories per kg. of body weight. 



From this experiment the author draws the same conclusion as formerly, 

 namely, that the absolute vegetarian diet of the Buddhist monks studied, which 

 had a minimum energy value, sufficed for maintaining health. The fact that 

 the whole body, and particularly the digestive apparatus, was accustomed to 

 such a diet is regarded as of special importance. 



The rate of elimination of nitrog'en as influenced by diet factors. — I, The 

 influence of the texture of the diet; II, The influence of carbohydrates and 

 fats in the diet; III, The influence of the character of the ingested protein, 

 L. B. Mendel and R. C. Lewis {Jotir. Biol. Chem., 16 (1913), No. 1, pp. 19-36, 

 figs. 9, 37-53, figs. 9, 55-77, figs. 12). — This work includes the results of a long 

 series of digestion experiments with laboratory animals (dogs) in which the 

 effects of a standard diet are compared with those of similar diets modified 

 as indicated by the subtitles. The authors summarize the work as follows : 



•'Apart from the character of the protein ingested a large number of diet fac- 

 tors — the water intake, the presence and nature of indigestible materials in 

 the diet, the amount and character of the carbohydrate fed, and to some extent 

 the presence of fat in the diet — play a role in modifying the rate of elimination 

 of nitrogen after a meal containing protein. With most of the proteins studied 

 the nitrogen output curves differed to only a slight extent from one another; 

 and in no case did the nature of the protein have a greater effect on the rate 

 of nitrogen elimination than some of the nonprotein diet factors mentioned 

 above." 



On the variations in the excretion of endogenous uric acid produced by 

 changes in diet, G. Graham and E. P. Poulton {Quart. Jour. 21ed., 7 (1913), 

 No. 25, pp. 14-28; ahs, in Zenthl. Biochem. u. Biophys., 15 {1913), No. 23, pp. 

 910, 911). — In metabolism experiments with normal subjects living on purin- 

 free diets, it was found that the amount of uric acid excreted varied with the 

 character of the diet. When protein and fat were given in quantities insuffi- 

 cient to supply the energy requirements of the body, the excretion of endoge- 

 nous uric acid decreased 30 to 50 per cent. A similar effect was noted during 

 the first day of a fasting experiment and also with a carbohydrate and fat diet. 

 The most probable explanation seems to the authors to be found in the alter- 

 nating action of protein and carbohydrate metabolism. 



The alleged excretion of creatin in carbohydrate starvation, G. Graham 

 and E. P. Poulton {Proc. Roy. Soc. [London], 8er. B, 87 {1914), No. B 594, 

 pp. 205-220, fig. 1). — According to the authors' conclusions, a carbohydrate-free 

 diet did not cause the excretion of any creatin. Experimental methods are 

 critically studied. 



On fat absorption. — III, Changes in fat during absorption, W. R. Bloor 

 {Jour. Biol. Chem., 16 {1914), No. 4> VP- 517-529). — Continuing previous work 

 with dogs (E. S. R., 29, p. 768), the author notes the following changes in fats 

 during absorption: 



The melting point of high melting point fats is lowered by the addition of an 

 unsaturated fatty acid, probably oleic. The melting point of a low melting point 

 fat (olive oil) is elevated and the iodin number is lowered by the addition of 

 saturated fatty acids. Fats consisting mainly of glycerids of saturated fatty 

 acids (coconut oil) undergo no change of melting point by the addition of" oleic 

 acid" accompanied by a change in their molecular weight. The iodin number 

 of fat containing a large percentage of glycerids of highly unsaturated fatty 

 acids (cod liver oil) is lowered. 



" The intestine appears to have the power to modify radically the composition 

 of the fats during absorption. The changes are apparently purposive in that 



