404 CHAMBERLAIN AND VEDDER. 



per cent of total solids, we find that there is only 0.4 per cent remain- 

 ing. The neuritis-preventing principle must, therefore, be sought for in 

 this 0.4 per cent of solid matter and must be a substance that is dialyz- 

 able, that is soluble in water, in 95 per cent alcohol, and in 0.3 per 

 cent hydrochloric acid, which is easily decomposed by heat and which 

 possesses a strong affinity for bone black. The same substance or a 

 similar substance is also contained in a decoction of ordinary white beans. 

 Bodies corresponding to this description are found among the decom- 

 position products of the proteids. Therefore, it appears to us, that we 

 have obtained sufficient information with regard to the nature of this 

 body to attempt to identify it by the direct methods of chemical analysis. 

 We have already begun experiments along these lines with the assistance 

 of Mr. B. E. Williams, of the laboratory of organic chemistry, Bureau of 

 Science, Manila, and expect to report them in the near future. 



REFERENCES. 



( 1 ) Chamberlain, W. P. and Veddek, E. B. A Contribution to tlie Etiology of 



Beriberi. Phil. Journ. Sci. Sec. B (1911), 6, 251. 



(2) Chamberlain, W. P., Bloombergh, H. B., and Kilbourne, E. D. A Study 



of the Influence of Rice Diet and of Inanition on the Production of 

 Multiple Neuritis of Fowls and the Bearing thereof on the Etiology of 

 Beriberi. Phil. Journ. Sci., Sec. B (1911), 6, 177. 



(3) Phaser, H., and Stanton, A. T. The Etiology of Beriberi. Studies from 



the Institute for Medical Research, Federated Malay States (1911), 

 No. 12. 



(4) HuiSHOFF-PoL, J. Polyneuritis gallinarum en beriberi. Oeneesk. Tijdschr. 



V. Nederl. Indie ( 1909), 49, 116. 



