13 



SULPHUR METABOLISM. 



These data show in an unmistakable manner that both the benzoic 

 acid and the benzoate of soda increase the excretion in the feces and 

 in the urine, thus establishing the effect of the preservative in de- 

 creasing the assimilation of sulphur and slightly increasing the sul- 

 phur katabolism. In the case of those receiving benzoic acid there 

 is a tendency in the after period to return to the conditions of the 

 fore period, while in the case of the members who received sodium 

 benzoate there is a further marked increase in the after period. The 

 increased excretion of metabolized sulphur is considered in detail 

 under the special studies on the urine. 



TABLE III. Comparative summary of principal determinations made, Series 



VIII." 



a Omitting- fourth preservative subperiod. 6 Omitting No. 3. c Nos. 1 to 12. 



GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 



From a careful study of the data in the individual cases and of the 

 summaries of the results, it is evident that the administration of ben- 

 zoic acid, either as such or in the form of benzoate of soda, is highly 

 objectionable and produces a very serious disturbance of the meta- 

 bolic functions, attended with injury to digestion and health. 



As in the case of boric acid, salicylic acid, and sulphurous acid, 

 this injury manifests itself in a number of different ways, both in 

 the production of unfavorable symptoms and in the disturbance of 



[Cir. 39] 



