8 



Scientific Proceedings (85). 



A complete study of the properties of this protein substance, 

 which we have named dento-mucoid, is now in progress. We have 

 already learned that it remains in teeth during the process of their 

 acid decalcification. It is extractable, from decalcified teeth, 

 with dilute alkalin solutions. It is precipitated, from such alkalin 

 extracts, by mineral acids such as hydrochloric. It is an acid 

 protein that forms colloidal salts. It yields reducing substance 

 similar to glucosamin after acidic hydrolysis. 



All of these studies are in progress, together with inquiries 

 into the effects, on dentition in successive generations of albino 

 rats, of treatment with thyroid, of unbalanced diets, and of toxic 

 malnutrition. 



no (1288) 



Diet and renal activity in tartrate nephritis. 



By William Salant and A. M. Swanson. 



[From the Pharmacological Laboratory , Bureau of Chemistry, Wash- 

 ington, D. C] 



The subject of the experiments were rabbits that were fed oats 

 or young carrots. Tartrate was administered to these animals 

 either by mouth or subcutaneously, and the effect of the single 

 dose as well as of repeated doses on renal activity studied by 

 means of phenolsulphonephthalein. The following is a resume of 

 the results obtained. 



1. When tartrate was given by mouth to rabbits on a diet of 

 oats large doses were required to inhibit the elimination of phenol- 

 sulphonephthalein. The effects produced with medium doses 

 were very moderate. Recovery was observed in all cases. 



2. Even small doses of sodium tartrate injected subcutaneously 

 into rabbits on a diet of oats caused a very pronounced inhibition 

 of the elimination of dye. Considerable improvement occurred 

 after 3 to 5 days, but complete recovery of function was never 

 observed. 



3. Evidence of disturbance of the renal function was seldom 

 obtained with much larger doses of sodium tartrate when injected 

 subcutaneously into rabbits on a diet of fresh young carrots. 

 Large doses showed a decrease of functional activity within a few 



