1922] on Vitamin Problems 559 



present in it compared with that in butter, as proved by Zilva, has 

 suggested that cod-liver oil contains some other specific substance 

 absent from butter, to which its great superiority is due. The 

 difference, however, seems to be merely quantitative, and the further 

 complication suggested by McCollum appears to be unnecessary. 



These experiments on rickets have led to what promises to be a 

 discovery of far-reaching importance. Eats on a diet, which in the 

 laboratory will infallibly produce rickets, do not acquire the disease 

 if they are exposed to sunlight in the open air or to ultra-violet 

 radiation, and rats which have acquired the disease can be cured by 

 either of these treatments, just as they can be cured by the adminis- 

 tration of cod-liver oil. Sunlight and ultra-violet radiation have also 

 been found to be effective cures or preventives of rickets in children. 

 The cures by light and by cod-liver oil seem to proceed in precisely 

 the same way, and the idea naturally suggests itself, especially to the 

 mind of a chemist, that the light actually brings about the synthesis 

 of the vitamin in the animal body just as it does in the plant. This 

 idea still awaits experimental verification or disproof ; but there is 

 no doubt that this function of light will lead to profoundly important 

 developments in our knowledge. 



[A. H.1 



ANNUAL MEETING, 

 Monday, May 1, 1922. 



Sir James Reid, Bart., G.C.V.O. K.C.B. M.D. LL.D., 



Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Annual Report of the Committee of Visitors for the year 1921, 

 testifying to the continued prosperity and efficient management of 

 the Institution, was read and adopted. 



Fifty-seven new Members were elected in 1921. 



Sixty-three Lectures and Nineteen Evening Discourses were 

 delivered in 1921. 



The Books and Pamphlets presented in 1920 amounted to 210 

 volumes, making, with 441 volumes (including Periodicals bound) 

 Vol. XXIII. (No. 116) 2 r 



