760 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXIV. No. 883 



pointed by President Eoosevelt has tested Wiley's 

 results. Three independent series of experiments 

 were carried out extending over a period of four 

 months, by E. H. Chittenden at the Sheffield Scien- 

 tific School, Yale University, on six young men, by 

 J. H. Long at the Medical School of the North- 

 western University in Chicago on six individuals 

 and by Christian A. Herter in his private labora- 

 tory of Columbia University on four individuals. 

 The experiments were so arranged that during two 

 months 0.3 gram of sodium benzoate was given 

 daily in three doses in the food or drink. During 

 a third month the dose given was gradually in- 

 creased at first to 0.6 and then to 1 gram, while 

 in some experiments 4 and 6 grams were given 

 daily. The experiments in which the dose of 0.6 

 to 1 gram were given lasted between 8 to 14 days, 

 and with the largest doses 2 to 8 days. The food 

 ingested and the excreta were analyzed and the 

 individuals were carefully observed. The commis- 

 sion draws the following conclusions: 



1. Sodium benzoate in small doses (under 0.5 

 gram) when given with food is harmless, is not 

 poisonous and not injurious to health. 



2. Larger doses of sodium benzoate (4 grams 

 daily) are not injurious to health, and are not 

 poisonous in the general sense of the term. In 

 certain ways they exercise a slight action over 

 certain physiological processes, the exact signifi- 

 cance of which is not determined. 



3. Addition of sodium benzoate in large or small 

 doses to food exercises no injurious influence on 

 the quality or the nutritive value of the food. 



The changes in certain physiological phenomena 

 mentioned under 2 are concerned with the observa- 

 tions of Herter. In his experiments sodium ben- 

 zoate in the larger doses caused a slight increase 

 in the indigo-forming substances in the urine, a 

 change in the bacterial-flora of the feces and a 

 decided increase in the production of hydrochloric 

 acid in the gastric juice. 



Putting everything together, it may be stated 

 that benzoic acid and sodium benzoate exercise a 

 poisonous action on the organism only when given 

 in comparatively large amounts. The constant 

 occurrence of hippuric acid (the substance pro- 

 duced by the union of benzoic acid and glycocoU) 

 in human urine leads to the conclusion that small 

 quantities of benzoate salts arising from vegetable 

 food or products of its oxidation, are always cir- 

 culating in the blood. One may conclude from this 

 as well as from the experiments of the American 

 Commission, that benzoic acid in amounts up to 

 0.5 gram distributed in small doses during the 



day are harmless to the human organism. Whether 

 larger doses (amounts of several grams) can be 

 constantly taken by all individuals with the same 

 impunity can not now be stated. The experimental 

 work of the American scientists in this particular 

 was not continued long enough and their conclu- 

 sion was associated with certain reservations, so 

 that it can not be considered as affording the 

 proof of absolute harmlessness. 



For this report consult Zeitschrift fur 

 Untersuchung der Nahrungs- und Genuss- 

 mittel, Bd. 22, p. 261, July 15, 1911. 



With regard to the common origin of the 

 garbled extracts of the Prussian Deputation's 

 Eeport furnished to the American press, let 

 the following sorrowfully be recorded: 



The report made by the health ofiieials of Ger- 

 many on the use of benzoate of soda in foods and 

 which sustains the position originally taken by Dr. 

 Wiley, of the United States Bureau of Chemistry, 

 and is antagonistic to the position taken by the 

 Eemsen Board, has been transmitted to the Agri- 

 cultural Department by the officials of the State 

 Department. — Oil, Faint and Drug Reporter, Oc- 

 tober 16, 1911. 

 and, 



Until a question is settled right it will never stay 

 settled, and the benzoate of soda controversy seems 

 to be one of these questions. The latest to have a 

 word on the question is the Scientific Deputation 

 for Medical Affairs in Germany. . . . This deputa- 

 tion has taken the tests made by Dr. Wiley at their 

 face value, thus confirming the stand taken by those 

 in this coimtry who would prohibit the use of ben- 

 zoate of soda in all food products. — Government 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, Agricultural Col- 

 lege, N. D. Special Bulletin, Food Department. 

 Vol. I., No. 36, September, 1911. 



and. 



The American public believes that a question is 

 not settled until it is settled right. ... Of the 

 decision of the United States referee board, these 

 German scientist say : ' ' The series of experiments 

 in this connection made by the American scientists 

 are of too short duration and the results coupled 

 with certain limitations, so that they can not be 

 regarded as demonstrating the unconditional non- 

 injurious nature. ' ' — Journal of tlie American Med- 

 ical Association, Vol. XL VII., No. 19, November 4, 

 1911. 



Graham Lusk 



