POODS HUMAN NUTRTTTON, 465 



than hrokon down such cleavage does not lake jilatc and no specilic dyininjic 

 effect is noted. 



Experiments on the effect of gastric and intestinal enzynis on vegetable 

 protein. A. Stittzer and E. Merres {Bioclietn. Ztschr., 9 (t908). No. 1-1, p/). 

 j27-]62). — The experiments reported led to the conclusion that the best results 

 were obtained in artificial digestion when digestibility was measured with a 

 satisfactory pepsin solution. Subsequent treatment with alkaline trypsin solu- 

 tion is not regarded as necessary or desirable. 



The action of gastric and intestinal enzyms on vegetable protein, A. 

 Stutzer and E. Merres (Bioehem. Ztschr., .9 (J 908), No. 3-Jf, pp. 2'f-'f-254) . — A 

 continuation of the authors' comparison of the results of natural and artificial 

 digestion. 



According to the data reported, if the feces in natural digestion experiments 

 are subsequently digested with gastric juice the total digestibility agrees verj^ 

 closely with the results obtained in artificial digestion experiments when the 

 feeding stuff is treated Avith such acid gastric juice. This method, in the 

 authors' opinion, gives without doubt the most reliable data as to the proportion 

 of digestible nitrogenous material in foods and feeding stulfs. 



The utilization of different amid bodies by Carnivora, W, Voltz and G. 

 Yakuwa (Art//, rhysiol. [Pfliigcr], 121 {190S), No. 3-',, pp. 117-149, chart 1).— 

 According to the authors' experiments with dogs, ammonium acetate, acetamid, 

 glycocoll. and a mixture of these bodies and asparagin increased the resorption 

 of nitrogen, while asparagin alone diminished it slightly or was without effect. 

 The results are also discussed with reference to the gains in nitrogen and the 

 nitrogen balance and the authors conclude that the character of the amid sub- 

 stances exercises a decided influence upon nitrogen metabolism. 



The direct utilization of the common sugars by the tissues, II. McGuigan 

 {Amer. Jour. Physiol., 21 (1908), No. 3, pp. 33.'i-350) .—The living muscles of 

 an animal, according to the author's experiments, when perfused with dextrose, 

 levulose, or galactose cause a rapid oxidation of these sugars. The results ob- 

 tained with maltose did not indicate any direct oxidation by the muscles. The 

 perfusion of dead muscles showed practically no loss of sugar. 



Other questions were also considered in this experimental inquiry, which is 

 a contribution to the question of the way in which the animal body utilizes a 

 carbohydrate food supply. 



Studies of diastase, J. Wohlgemuth (Biochcm. Ztschr., 9 {1908), No. 1-2, 

 pp. 10-Ji3). — The following are some of the conclusions drawn from the author's 

 experimental work : The quantity of diastatic ferment in human saliva varies 

 markedly. Fsually more diastase is present after taking food than otherwisi^ 

 but sometimes these conditions are reversal. The kind of food seems to be 

 without effect on the quantity of diastase present. On an average, sodium 

 chlorid was found to increase the diastatic power of saliva about ten times in a 

 24-hour digestion period. 



Metabolism experiments with healthy children and children with rickets 

 with special reference to m.ineral metabolism, W. Cronheim and E. Muller 

 (Biochcm. Ztschr., 9 {1908), No. 1-2, pp. 76-126).— The results, which have to 

 do with the metabolism of nitrogen and fat in healthy children, were favorable 

 to sterilized milk. In the case of calcium no better results were noted with raw 

 than with sterilized milk. Tlie authors believe that the unfavorable results 

 sometimes noted with sterilized milk are due to conditions not yet understood. 



Experiments on the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus 

 in fasting animals, O. Wellmann {Arch. Physiol. [Pftllger], 121 {1908), No. 

 8-10, pp. 508-.533). — The authors studied the metabolism of mineral matter with 

 Herbivora (ralibits) aud found that bones lost about 14 per cent of their weight 



