138 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



tive period, and 7.5 during the after period. This figure is calculated 

 upon the results of observation excluding numbers for March 12 

 and 13. There appears a tendency in this case for the preservative to 

 diminish the absorption of the nitrogen. In the case of the phosphoric 

 acid it is seen that 23.9 per cent of the total amount in the food is 

 eliminated in the feces during the fore period, 30.8 per cent during 

 the preservative period, and 23.6 per cent during the after period. In 

 this case also there is an apparent tendency on the part of the preserv- 

 ative to diminish the absorption of the phosphoric acid. In respect 

 of the fat, it is seen that 3 per cent of the total in the food is eliminated 

 in the feces of the fore period, 4.1 per cent in the preservative period, 

 and 3.1 per cent in the after period. Here, also, there seems to be a 

 marked tendency on the part of the preservative to diminish the absorp- 

 tion of the fat. In regard to the calories, it is seen that 3.6 per cent of 

 the total calories in the food is eliminated in the fore period, 4.9 per cent 

 in the preservative period, and 3.4 per cent in the after period. Here, 

 again, we find an apparent tendency on the part of the preservative to 

 diminish the absorption of the calories of the food. In regard to the 

 weight of the wet feces, there is seen a marked increase during the 

 preservative period and a marked diminution during the after period. 

 The water content remains quite constant, being, however, slightly 

 less in the fore period and a trifle greater in the after period. The 

 weight of the dry feces eliminated is increased in the preservative 

 period and diminished very markedly in the after period. 



No. 5H. C. G. 



In the case of No. 5 the percentage of nitrogen in the food elimi- 

 nated in the feces during the fore period is 7.3, during the preserva- 

 tive period 7.6, and during the after period 6.9. The data for the third 

 preservative subperiod are included in the averages, although there 

 is such a marked diminution of digestive activity in this period as to 

 cause a loss of appetite and a failure to eat the regular amount of 

 rations. In regard to the phosphoric acid, 31.1 per cent of the 

 amount in the food is eliminated in the feces in the fore period, 33.1 

 per cent in the preservative period, and 30.2 per cent in the after 

 period. Of the fat, 4.7 per cent of the fat in the food is eliminated 

 in the feces in the fore period, 3.8 per cent in the preservative period, 

 and 3.1 per cent in the after period. In the case of the calories, 3.8 

 per cent of the amount in the food is eliminated in the feces in the 

 fore period, 3.7 per cent in the preservative period, and 3.6 per cent 

 in the after period. 



These data show but little effect of the preservative in disturbing 

 the relations of the percentages of the various elements eliminated in 

 the feces during the three periods of the series. If, however, we 

 should eliminate the data for the third preservative subperiod, obtained 



