224 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 



sterile. A lack of this substance also leads to marked disturb- 

 ance of the digestive system. Some reports indicate that B is 

 concerned in oxidation in the cells, and perhaps in the metab- 

 olism in the cell nucleus. 



B is found in largest amounts in yeast, but also in green 

 leaves, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, celery, beans, peas, milk, in- 

 cluding milk powder, the embryo of grains, and eggs. The 

 amount in dairy products varies with the amount in the food of 

 the cow, as evidently the animal does not synthesize it. It is 

 soluble in water, and probably is not stored in the body. It 

 is not destroyed by drying, is stable at 100 C. in neutral or 

 acid solution, but is destroyed by heating in alkaline solution. 

 Commercial canning or sterilizing processes are likely to destroy 

 it, if temperatures above 100 are used. On account of its wide 

 distribution and its comparative stability it is not likely to be 

 lacking in the diet. 



Vitamin C. A disease which can be cured by C is scurvy, 

 which long was the terror of seafaring men. A shortage of C also 

 affects the teeth. It has been reported also that C is concerned 

 in the production of adrenaline and in normal metabolism. If 

 is found in oranges, lemons, cabbage, lettuce, and tomatoes iik 

 largest amounts, also in spinach, onions, fresh peas, and in small 

 amounts in potatoes. Milk contains some, but most prepared 

 milks but little C. ,Much depends on the food of the cow, as 

 indicated for A, and on the method of preparing the milk 

 powder. Germinating seeds contain much. By allowing seeds 

 to sprout the amount of C is greatly increased. Drying de- 

 stroys C except in acid solution, such as orange, lemon or tomato 

 juice. It is soluble in water and is more stable in acid than in 

 alkaline solution. In the absence of oxygen it is stable up to 

 100 C. (Butcher). C, by reason of its more limited distribu- 

 tion, its susceptibility to drying and to high temperatures is 

 more likely to be deficient in an ordinary diet than A or B. 

 Green leafy vegetables, oranges, lemons, cabbage or tomatoes 

 should be included in the diet to secure an adequate supply. 



Vitamin D. It is not altogether certain that vitamin D exists, 



