804 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



of moisture in the feces in the fore period is 72.50, during the preserva- 

 tive period 76.15, and during the after period 75.40. The average 

 daily quantity of dry matter excreted in the fore period is 23 grams, in 

 the preservative period 25 grams, and in the after period 21 grams. 



This summary shows that there is a decided tendency on the part of 

 the sulphites administered to cause an increase in the percentage of 

 moisture in the feces, thus indicating a slight tendency toward cathar- 

 sis. It is also noted that there is a distinct tendency to increase the 

 dry matter excreted in the feces, this increase amounting to 2 grams 

 in the preservative period, or 8.7 per cent. On the withdrawal of the 

 preservative there is a marked decrease in the quantity of dry matter 

 excreted, amounting to 8.7 per cent in this case also, as compared with 

 the fore period. 



It will be recalled that the average daily quantity of dry food 

 consumed for the fore period by these men is 639 grams and for the 

 preservative period 629 grams. Thus, while the quantity of food 

 consumed has been slightly diminished, the quantity of dry matter 

 excreted in the feces has been markedly increased. It would appear, 

 therefore, in the light of these data, that the preservative administered 

 has had an inhibiting effect upon the total quantity of material 

 digested and absorbed. This phenomenon may also have been 

 accompanied by an increased katabolism. 



Next to be considered are the summaries of the men who received 

 sulphurous acid in an uncombined state. Only the most complete 

 summaries are discussed, although others are submitted for com- 

 parison. 



The summary of Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, shows an average daily 

 excretion of moist feces in the fore period of 87 grams, in the preserva- 

 tive period of 102 grams, and in the after period of 115 grams. The 

 percentages of water contained in the feces are for the fore period 

 74.97, for the preservative period 76.60, and for the after period 77.63, 

 respectively. The average daily excretion of dry matter in the feces 

 is 22 grams in the fore period, 24 grams in the preservative period, and 

 '26 grams in the after period. 



These data show an increase both in the water content of the feces 

 and in the amount of dry matter excreted during the preservative 

 period, and the increases are continued in the after period. 



Considering the data now as a whole it is evident that the adminis- 

 tration of sulphurous acid, both as sulphites and in the form of uncom- 

 bined acid, has a marked tendency to increase the percentage content 

 of moisture in the feces and the total quantity of dry matter excreted 

 during the preservative period. In the case of those receiving sodium 

 sulphite the opposite tendency is shown in the after period, while In 

 the summary for Nos. 8 to 11, receiving sulphurous acid, there is a 

 continued increase in dry matter excreted and in percentage of water. 



