246 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



THE EFFECT OF THE PRESERVATIVE UPON THE COMPOSITION 

 OF THE FECES. 



A careful study of the effect of the preservative administered upon 

 the composition of the feces shows a slight tendency to increase the 

 amount of water therein. There is, however, no tendency of any 

 marked nature, even when the preservatives are given in large quan- 

 tities, to excite diarrhea. The administration of the preservative 

 produces but little change in the weight of dry matter in the feces. 



EFFECT OF BORIC ACID AND BORAX UPON THE URINE. 



ELIMINATION OF NITROGEN. 



The combined data of the four series (excluding Series II) show 

 that the percentage of nitrogen ingested in the food eliminated in the, 

 urine during the fore periods is 86, during the preservative periods 

 85.5, and during the after periods 81.4. This shows a tendency on 

 the part of the preservative to diminish the percentage of nitrogen 

 excreted in the urine, and this tendency is continued in a very marked 

 manner in the after periods. . 



REACTION. 



The data of Series II, III, and V show a marked tendency on the 

 part of boric acid, to increase the acidky of the urine. In no case 

 during the administration of boric acid was an alkaline reaction 

 observed. In the case of the urine the marked acidity imparted to it 

 by boric acid is continued in most cases throughout the after periods. 

 The data of Series IV and V, on the contrary, show a marked tendency 

 on the part of borax to diminish the acidity of the urine, and in several 

 instances this substance imparted to the urine an alkaline reaction. 

 These facts indicate that a large part of the borax and boric acid 

 administered is excreted unchanged in chemical composition. 



QUANTITY. 



Very little effect is produced by these preservatives upon the volume 

 of urine, although there is a slight tendency manifest to decrease the 

 amount. There is a slight tendency also manifested during the admin- 

 istration of the preservatives to decrease the total solids in the urine. 

 In this connection, however, it must be considered that the season of 

 the year has a marked effect upon the amount of urine secreted, the 

 tendency being to secrete larger quantities in cold weather than in 

 warm. Combining the data of Series I, III, IV, and V for those 

 members completing the series, we mid that the average daily amount 

 of urine secreted during the fore periods, per individual, is 969 cc; 

 during the preservative periods, 960 cc, and during the after periods, 

 952 cc. These data show almost no effect of the preservatives on the 



