524 



Scientific Proceedings (132) 



calories on infants over 24 hours of age was obtained as com- 

 pared with 26.75 calories obtained by Benedict and Talbot 1 for 

 normals from 2 to 8 days of age. These observers found a rather 

 constant heat production from second to seventh day, the aver- 

 age of all basal periods being 27.87 cal. per sq. m. per hr. as com- 

 pared with 25.72 calories for our prematures. 



In comparing maximum with minimum heat values for each in- 

 fant an average of 44.5 per cent, increase was obtained. Percent- 

 ages varied from 5.7 with slight restlessness to 88.77 with hard 

 crying 36 minutes (J4 of the period). Comparing the increases 

 obtained in succeeding periods of the same observation in which 

 all the factors, except the activity, were the same, an average of 

 16.5 per cent, was obtained. Increases varied from 2.5 per cent, 

 with very slight restlessness to 40.5 per cent, with crying 16 

 minutes of a 33-minute period. Minimal metabolism in children 

 of comparable ages averages 31 cal. per sq. m. per hr. after feed- 

 ings of from 60 to 84 grams breast milk and 24 cal. after feed- 

 ings of from 25 to 35 grams. 



261 (2221) 



A test for peristaltic activity. 

 By PIERRE A. FISH. 



[From the Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.] 



The agent used is the red dye known as Sudan III. Its ad- 

 vantages are that it may be used in very small amount thus in- 

 terfering very little, or not at all, with the normal processes in 

 the alimentary tract. The amount used for man is from 50 to 

 70 milligrams (J4 to 1 grain). It is soluble only in a fatty 

 medium or in fat solvents. Taken with, or just after a meal, it 

 is not impossible that a slight amount may be combined with 

 the fat of the meal and absorbed to a slight extent; otherwise it 

 is not, apparently, susceptible to the alimentary secretions. The 

 tests have not been interfered with by any absorption that may 

 have occurred. The red color of the dye is essential for the test. 



The rapidity with which the dye, mixed with the ingesta, will 



i Benedict and Talbot, Carnegie Institute Pubs., No. 233. 



