236 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



valuable than the expression of the calories balance, is the statement 

 of the percentage eliminated. This percentage subtracted from 100 

 will give in each case the proportion of the total combustible matter 

 consumed. 



The data are given only from Series II to V, inclusive, as they were 

 not collected for the first series. 



SERIES II. 



This imperfect series is given simply for the sake of record, and not 

 because the data in their incomplete state are of any particular signifi- 

 cance. The percentage of the calories eliminated for Nos. 7 and 10 in 

 the fore period, January 19-27, inclusive, is 6.6; in the first preserva- 

 tive subperiod, January 28-31, inclusive, 7.7; in the second subperiod, 

 February 1-4, inclusive, 7.2; in the two subperiods from January 28 

 to February 4, inclusive, 7.4; for the third subperiod, February 5-8, 

 inclusive, 6.6; for the three subperiods, January 28 to February 8, 

 inclusive, 7.1. No complete data were obtained in any case for the 

 after period on account of the illness of all the members of the table. 



It is seen that but little influence was produced on the percentage of 

 calories eliminated by the administration of boric acid. What little 

 influence was exerted, however, seems to show a tendency to prevent 

 the consumption of combustible matter in the food when this pre- 

 servative is administered. 



SERIES III. 



In this series the data are complete for four members viz, Nos. 1, 

 3, 4, and 5 the other two having been ill during a part of the period 

 of observation. 



For the fore period, February 19-27, inclusive, the percentage of 

 calories eliminated is 7.1; for the first preservative subperiod, Feb- 

 ruary 28 to March 3, inclusive, it is 7.4; for the second subperiod, 

 March 4-7, inclusive, it is 6.8; for the third subperiod, March 8-11, 

 inclusive, 6.8; for the three subperiods February 28 to March 11, 

 inclusive, 7, and for the after period, March 12-19, inclusive, 6.8. 



The data of this table show but little influence exerted by the borax 

 upon the percentage of calories eliminated except in the first preserva- 

 tive subperiod, which shows a slight retarding effect on combustion. 



SERIES IV. 



In Series IV the data are complete for only Nos. 8, 9, and 10. For 

 these three in the fore period, extending from March 20 to March 27, 

 inclusive, the percentage of calories eliminated is 5.7; in the first pre- 

 servative subperiod, March 28-31, inclusive, 7.2; in the second sub- 

 period, April 1-4, inclusive, 5.8; for the first and second subperiods 

 together, March 28 to April 4, inclusive, 6.5; in the third subperiod, 



