VITAMIN ES 3 



constituent of the husk which has this effect is only 

 present in small quantity, but it can be isolated in 

 crystalHne form, and on analysis appears to belong 

 to the pyrimidine group. Milk, yeast, and ox-brain 

 all contain this mysterious substance, as well as rice- 

 husk, and will cure the neuritis. From lOO kilos of 

 yeast 2-5 grams of the crystals were obtained. 



There is chnical evidence in support of this experi- 

 mental work. Research in the PhiHppines has shown 

 that the infant of a mother fed on polished rice is 

 hkely to develop beri-beri, but that it is rapidly cured 

 either by fresh cow's milk or by an extract of rice- 

 husk. The substitution of parboiled for polished 

 rice in a Siam prison has brought down the death- 

 rate from 113 to nil. 



The principle having been once established that a 

 dietary to maintain health must contain, in addition 

 to the five well-known elements, proteins, carbo- 

 hydrates, fats, salts, and water, traces of other so-far 

 unrecognized chemicals, a new field is opened for 

 exploration, and several diseases come up for a 

 similar explanation. The new chemical bodies which 

 appear to be thus needful are called " vitamines." 



Hopkins has lately shown that something of the 

 sort is necessary for ordinary growth. Young rats 

 fed on purified protein, carbohydrate, fat, salts, and 

 water, absolutely cease to grow, even if the quantity 

 supplied is correct. If only a teaspoonful of milk is 

 suppHed daily, growth becomes normal. Even 

 sarcoma-cells require vitamines, and if they are with- 

 held, Jensen's rat sarcoma only develops at a quarter 

 its usual rate. At Romney there are two fields, 



