NUTRITION LABORATORY, 189 



and the inaccuracy of clinical thermometers for observations requiring exact 

 measurements. The results of the research have been prepared for publica- 

 tion and are now in press. 



COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR STUDYING THE RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE. 



In consideration of the vast amount of research carried out by the Zuntz- 

 Geppert method of studying the respiratory exchange, the development of a 

 method by Chauveau and Tissot, and the method and respiration apparatus 

 developed in this laboratory, a strict comparison of the several methods now 

 in existence for studying the respiratory exchange has seemed desirable. 

 As a standard in this comparison, it is proposed to use the results of experi- 

 ments with the bed calorimeter, in which the respiration is absolutely normal 

 and quiet; experiments will then be made with the same subjects, in which 

 the various types of breathing appliances and respiration apparatus will be 

 used. Mr. T. M. Carpenter is continuing this most important and funda- 

 mental study, and the results are being looked forward to with great interest 

 by a number of European scientists. 



METABOLISM IN DIABETES. 



The most important research in pathological metabolism now in progress 

 at the laboratory is the continuation of the investigation instituted by Dr. 

 E. P. Joslin on diabetes mellitus. Particular attention has been given during 

 the past year to the study of serious and advanced cases with young children 

 and to the influence of the so-called "oatmeal cure." Both of these problems 

 are extremely complex and require many experiments before drawing any 

 final conclusions. Furthermore, the most suitable experimental material is 

 not so readily available as is the more general type of diabetes, and hence the 

 investigation has not progressed so rapidly as did the earlier research on the 

 general problem. The experiments are, however, of even greater interest 

 than any heretofore carried out, especially as each experiment is made so far 

 as possible a noticeable advance in accuracy and in completeness over the 

 preceding one. In studying this problem, the supplementing of experiments 

 with the respiration calorimeter by experiments with the respiration appa- 

 ratus has proved highly advantageous, and it has been found perfectly 

 feasible to make concurrent observations with both forms of apparatus and 

 secure results of great pathological importance. 



RELATION BETWEEN THE HYPOPHYSIS AND METABOLISM. 



Owing to the interest of Dr. John Romans, of the department of surgical 

 research at the Harvard JMedical School, an investigation was begun a year 

 ago on the influence of the removal of the hypophysis upon metabolism. The 

 possibility of a relationship between the hypophysis and diabetes first justified 

 the undertaking of the study of this obscure gland in the Nutrition Labora- 

 tory, and this research seems to be more promising of results than at first 

 sight appeared probable. It is of special interest to note in this connection 



