4 INFLUENCE OF BORAX AND 



their content of solid matter and of nitrogen are within the 

 limits of the normal elimination during periods when meat 

 alone is fed. Further, no harmful influence, even after the 

 ingestion of the largest dose 20 grams was to be observed, 

 and the appetite of the animal was found to be undiminished 

 on the days following that upon which borax was given. 

 The objection we would make to accepting Gruber's conclu- 

 sions in their entirety is that they are based solely upon the 

 results following the administration of two large doses of 

 borax, 10 and 20 grams, whereas, to our mind, longer periods 

 with a dosage of borax continued for several days in succession 

 would seemingly render the conditions much more favorable 

 for an accurate judgment as to the character of the influence 

 exerted by the substance on tissue changes. Further, since 

 urea alone was determined in the urine, possible minor changes 

 connected with the presence of the salt would naturally be 

 overlooked. Lastly, we are inclined to the view that it is 

 extremely hazardous to draw such sweeping conclusions from 

 one or two single experiments of this nature, especially where, 

 as in the animal body, individual characteristics not infrequently 

 give rise to exceptional results quite foreign to those ordinarily 

 obtainable. 



In Forster's work with boric acid, Dr. Schlencker experi- 

 mented on himself, using a mixed diet and taking boric acid 

 in daily doses of 1-3 grams. Each experiment consisted of 

 three periods, of three days each, the boric acid being taken 

 in the middle period. The conclusions arrived at were that 

 proteid metabolism is not influenced, the excretion of urea in 

 the boric-acid period being midway between that of the fore 

 and after periods. It was noticed, however, that the quantity 

 of ethereal sulphuric acid in the urine was considerably 

 lessened in the boric-acid period and in the period following, 

 thus implying an inhibitory influence upon the putrefactive 

 processes of the intestine. Further, it was observed that the 

 volume of the faeces, together with the contained nitrogen, 

 was greatly increased under the influence of boric acid, from 

 which it was inferred that this agent interferes with the 



