BORIC ACID AND BORAX. 93 



none at all for the after period. The data obtained, however, show a 

 distinct loss in weight during the administration of the preservative. 



The data for No. 5 show a progressive loss of weight throughout the 

 series, amounting to about 1 kilograms in the preservative period and 

 almost If kilograms in the after period. 



No. 6 shows a very great loss of weight in the preservative period, 

 which continues during the after period. 



Although to some extent contradictory, the data, as a whole, of the 

 fifth series, when interpreted by the rule of evidence already set forth, 

 show a distinct tendency on the part of the preservative to diminish 

 the body weight. The fact that this tendency, in most cases, continues 

 throughout the after period has already been elucidated. Full weight 

 must be given to any valid objections to interpretation of data of this 

 kind in relation to the effect of the preservative upon weight. It 

 seems, however, that after due consideration of all these valid objec- 

 tions the conclusion can be established with a preponderating weight of 

 evidence in this series that there is a marked tendency on the part of 

 the preservative, when given in small quantities but continued over a 

 great length of time, to diminish the body weight. 



AVERAGES OF BODY WEIGHTS, BY PERIODS. 



Having now discussed the influence of the preservative upon the 

 body weights individually, it remains to bring into one expression the 

 data of all the members", not only of each series, but for the entire 

 time of the observation. 



This summary includes the weights given in the tables, although 

 some of them were made at times when the subjects were slightly ill 

 and when the administration of the preservative had been suspended. 

 Such data, however, were eliminated in the graphic representations of 

 body weights which follow. 



Beginning with Series I we find that by combining the body weights 

 of the individuals we have the general average for the fore period of 

 66.61 kilograms, for the preservative period 66.05 kilograms, and for 

 the after period 66.13 kilograms. The mean loss of weight of the 

 subjects during the administration of the preservative is 560 grams, 

 and the mean gain of weight during the after period is 80 grams. 

 This summary shows that the tendency of the preservative is to 

 decrease weight, and that this tendency is checked and a slight upward 

 movement started during the after period. 



In Series II the mean weight of the subjects during the fore period 

 is 65.04 kilograms, during the preservative period 64.31, and during 

 the after period 63.85. In this case the average loss for the subjects 

 in body weight during the preservative period is 730 grams and the 

 additional loss during the after period 460 grams. There is thus an 

 apparent tendency during the after period to a continued loss of 



