NUTRITION LABORATORY. 269 



the research, this chamber was placed inside the group respiration 

 chamber, thus insuring complete control of the temperature environ- 

 ment. The investigation was carried out in cooperation with Miss 

 Alice Johnson and Miss Marion L. Baker. 



Survey of skin temperature, with photographic records. — The apparatus 

 used for measuring the skin temperature in the research just cited was 

 so nearly instantaneous in its action that it was possible, by means of a 

 sensitive string galvanometer, to secure temperature curves from a 

 large number of points on the body. In cooperation with Dr. Miles, 

 photographic records were obtained of the deflections of the galvanom- 

 eter and a complete survey of the temperature of the skin in different 

 parts of the body was thus made. These topographical studies were 

 carried out with environmental temperatures varying from 14° to 30° C. 

 Miss AHce Johnson and Miss Marion L. Baker also assisted in these 

 observations. 



Study of metabolism of large animals. — In continuation of the research 

 on undernutrition which was made with men at the International 

 Y. M. C. A. College, Springfield, Massachusetts, in the winter of 1917- 

 18, a study of the metabolism during undernutrition and in the sub- 

 sequent period of realimentation has been begun with full-grown steers 

 at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham, 

 with the cooperation of Professor E. G. Ritzman. A large respiration 

 chamber has been built and experiments made throughout the winter, 

 spring, and fall, with the technical assistance of Miss Alice Johnson 

 and Miss Mary Hendry. The special purpose of the research was to 

 study the influence of submaintenance rations in the wintering and 

 subsequent fattening for market of farm animals. 12 steers of uni- 

 form type and weight were divided into four groups of 3 animals each. 

 The observations were begun in November 1918. A roughage main- 

 tenance ration was first given the animals for a preliminary period to 

 estabUsh the normal needs. The maintenance ration w^as then re- 

 duced one-fourth, one-third, and one-half, respectively, with three of 

 the groups, the fourth group being fed on a maintenance ration to 

 serve as a control upon the other three groups. Careful records were 

 kept of the body-weights, pulse-rates, and rectal temperatures, and 

 almost daily observations were made of the gaseous metabolism in the 

 respiration chamber, including records of the activity during the 

 experimental period. In May 1919 realimentation was begun, with 

 liberal feeding. When the animals are in market condition they will be 

 slaughtered and observations made of the condition, quality, and weight 

 of the carcass, with especial attention to the effect of the prolonged 

 period of submaintenance feeding upon the rapidity and character of 

 the fattening. It is expected that the research will be continued 

 during the coming year with steers, and possibly other farm animals. 



The calorific value of extra foods. — The determination of the calorific 

 value of such foods as are frequently taken outside of the regular meals, 



