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ANIOJAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 42 



presented the history of the bulk price of riboflavin, beginning in 

 1938 when synthetic riboflavin in bulk first became available at $17.50 

 per gram to the present time when it may be had for $1.25 per gram. 

 This picture is not so striking as in the cases of vitamin C and vita- 

 min Bi since riboflavin has not yet been produced in as large quan- 

 tities. Undoubtedly, however, the price of riboflavin will be lowered 

 as production increases. 



All the vitamins discussed in the preceding paragraphs have very 

 definite, well-defined uses. The value of the next two vitamins to be 

 discussed is not so well known. There are indications that the first 

 of these, vitamin Be, may be of value in the treatment of certain 



muscular rigidities, in paralysis agitans, and perhaps for other condi- 

 tions. In spite of this, however, there is considerable interest in this 

 vitamin, the synthesis of which was first reported in 1939. Figure 5 

 presents the effect of increased production on its price since 1939. 



As is the case with vitamin Be, the biological and medical value of 

 the next vitamin, calcium pantothenate, is poorly defined. However, 

 everywhere one goes the value of pantothenic acid in the cure and 

 prevention of white or gray hair is discussed. 



In plate 1, figure 1, is shown a black rat whose fur has turned gray 

 owing to a deficiency of pantothenic acid in its diet. Administration 

 of pantothenic acid would change this fur back to its natural color. 

 The Good Housekeeping Institute has published a statement that it 

 is possible to change a human being's gray hair back to normal by the 

 use of pantothenic acid. On the west coast calcium pantothenate is 

 being added to a large proportion of the milk sold. Pantothenic acid 

 in the form of its calcium salt is available in various pharmaceutical 

 forms. In figure 6 is presented the change in price of calcium pan- 



