162 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



quantity, of the borax appeared in the urine in an undecomposed 

 state that is, not as boric acid, but as biborate of soda. 



It will be of interest also to include all of the data for Series IV in 

 one average. Discussing these data, we find the same general effect 

 produced by the borax to diminish acidity and increase the amphoteric 

 and alkaline reactions. The per cent of samples strongly acid in the 

 fore period is 22.9, in the preservative period 7.4, and none in the 

 after period. The percentage of samples acid in the fore period is 

 54. 1, in the preservative period 40.6, and in the after period 32.5. 

 The percentage giving an amphoteric reaction in the fore period is 

 22.9, in the preservative period 52.9, and in the after period 60. There 

 are no samples giving an alkaline reaction in the fore period, in the 

 preservative period 2.8 per cent, and in the after period 7.5 per cent. 



SERIES V. 



During the fifth series boric acid was given to three members of the 

 class, namely, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and borax to three members, namely, 

 4, 5, and 6. The individual data are given for the reaction of the acid 

 during this period, which extended over fifty days, also the general 

 averages for Nos. 1, 2, and 3, who received boric acid, and for Nos. 

 4, 5, and 6, who received borax. In the averages of those who 

 received boric acid we see a marked increase in the strong acidity 

 under the influence of the preservative. The per cent of samples 

 strongly acid in the fore period is 12.5, in the preservative period 

 63.3, and in the after period 51.3. In no case is there an alkaline 

 reaction. The increased percentage showing a strong acid reaction was 

 recruited from the samples showing an acid and an amphoteric reac- 

 tion. The averages in the case of those receiving borax show a strong 

 acid reaction in the fore period, when the percentage is 25, in the pre- 

 servative period 30.4, and in the after period 49.4. There was no 

 alkaline reaction observed in any case. No account has been taken in 

 the above discussion of any possible effect upon the reaction which a 

 change of concentration of the urine due to the season of the year may 

 have produced. 



We have here an apparent contradiction to the trend of the testi- 

 mony in Series IV, in which the borax shows a tendency to produce 

 diminished acidity. It must be remembered, however, that in the 

 fifth series the quantity of boric acid given, or of borax equivalent 

 thereto, was only one-half gram per day. It is possible that this small 

 amount may have suffered decomposition and appeared in the urine 

 as boric acid in both cases. There is no positive proof of this fact, 

 however, save the indication in regard to acidity above mentioned. 



GENERAL AVERAGE OF SERIES II, III, IV, AND V. 



It will be of use now to gather into one expression the general data 

 of all the series relating to the administration of boric acid on the one 



