BERIBERI 



339 



the metabolism of nerve tissue, and if not supplied in food, 

 beriberi appears (Funk). 



Increase in the food of nitrogen for Japanese sailors was 

 followed by less beriberi. 



Deficient fat. An epidemic at Chaudabum was supposed to be 

 stopped by an increase of fat in the food. 



Deficient phosphorus. Normal rice contains 0*4 per cent, of 

 ? pentoxide. If less it is a dangerous rice (Fraser). 

 Deficient vegetables with an infection. The disease disap- 



Section of myocardium from case of beriberi, showing segmentation and 



fragmentation. 



peared when a sufficiency of vegetables, chiefly potatoes, was 

 given (Fales). 



The deficiency causes the micro-organism to flourish (Fales). 

 Fletcher concludes that uncured rice is either directly or 

 indirectly a cause of beriberi, the actual cause being either: — 



A poison contained in the rice. 



Protein deficiency. 



Bad nutrition resulting from uncured rice rendering the 



patient liable to invasion by the specific organism. 



22A 



