222 INFECTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 



absorption of guanidin or methyl guanidin. Methyl 

 guanidin arises from the oxidation of creatin (or 

 creatinin), and it is conceivable that under some con- 

 ditions of decomposition of meat these bodies are formed. 

 Since, however, there is no definite evidence on this 

 point in the case of man, I shall not enter into a discus- 

 sion of mere possibilities. 



In reference to the bases cholin and neurin the case is 

 somewhat different. Of these bases neurin is much more 

 toxic than cholin, its action being directed especially to 

 the nervous system. That cholin is toxic when absorbed 

 from the intestinal tract is not wholly clear although it 

 is well known that the subcutaneous injection of cholin 

 gives rise to nervous symptoms and a decline hi blood 

 pressure. The most definite results that have been ob- 

 tained by experimental methods in respect to the pro- 

 duction of cholin are those of Beattie Nesbit. 1 Nesbit 

 started from the fact that lecithin may be decomposed 

 with a yield of cholin. It has been assumed by Bocai 

 that lecithin is decomposed during the process of diges- 

 tion into glycerophosphoric acid and fatty acids and cho- 

 lin, and that these products are individually absorbed. 

 This view suggests that it might be dangerous to con- 

 sume very large quantities of lecithin as, for example, in 

 the form of eggs, as cholin cannot be regarded as a wholly 

 harmless substance. It must be admitted, however, 

 that there is evidence to support the idea that some 



1 " On the Presence of Cholin and Neurin in the Intestinal Canal 

 during its Complete Obstruction. A Research on Autointoxi- 

 cation," Journ. Exper. Med., iv, p. 1, 1899. 



