THE ANTINEURITIC PROPERTIES OF THE INFUSORIAL EARTH 

 EXTRACT OF THE HYDROLYZED EXTRACT OF RICE 

 POLISHINGS » 



By Harvey C. Brill 



(From the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Bureau of Science, Manila) 



The Bureau of Science prepares approximately forty liters of 

 extract of rice polishing - for monthly distribution by the Liga 

 Nacional para la Proteccion de la Primera Infancia for use in 

 the treatment of infantile beriberi. 



In the past considerable difficulty has been experienced in pre- 

 venting the fermentation of this solution after bottling. The 

 practice of fractional sterilization at 70° C. prevents this fer- 

 mentation, and the bottled extract remains sweet and unfer- 

 mented indefinitely. But when the 50 cubic centimeter bottles 

 of extract are distributed for use, fermentation often occurs due 

 to the withdrawal of a portion of the contents, contamination 

 with yeast cells, and the incubation at room temperature.- In 

 an endeavor to prevent such fermentation, any one of several 

 means might be employed: (1) A preservative might be added. 

 Most, if not all, preservatives have a physiological action and 

 the administration of them to people who are already in an un- 

 healthy physical condition is to be avoided, if possible. (2) 

 Smaller bottles of the extract might be distributed. There are 

 several objections to this procedure. The cost of containers and 

 the cost of handling would be greater; a smaller bottle would 

 hold an amount insufficient to effect a cure or even improvement 

 in some cases. The patient or the family of the patient would 

 either need to make several trips to the dispensary or take more 

 than one bottle of the extract. Either practice is to be avoided, 

 if possible, on account of the difficulty of following the history 

 of the case and the waste of extract that would result. (3) The 

 extract might be issued in some form that would avoid the risk 

 of fermentation. 



Infusorial earth has the power of extracting the salts of al- 



1 Received for publication April, 1917. 



2 The class afflicted with beriberi usually has no facilities for keeping its 

 food and medicine cool. 



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