102 



Scientific Proceedings (91). 



170 (1348) 



Observations on the production of experimental scurvy in the 



guinea pig. 

 By Barnett Cohen (by invitation) . 

 [From the Public Health Laboratory, Medical School, Yale University , 

 New Haven, Conn.] 

 The customary method of producing experimental scurvy in 

 the guinea pig with a monotonous cereal diet is open to several 

 points of criticism. The protein may be inadequate, inorganic 

 salts deficient and the physical texture unsatisfactory. Our work 

 led to a search for some good food material capable of dietary 

 analysis; and through the results obtained by Osborne and Mendel 1 

 and others the soy bean seemed most suitable. Its protein is 

 adequate for maintenance and growth (of the rat) and the only 

 inorganic constituents deficient are Na, Ca and CI. We used 

 soy bean flour autoclaved at 15 pounds for 30 minutes. To it 

 was added Ca lactate and NaCl. Dried brewer's yeast and fresh 

 raw Jersey milk supplied the two recognized dietary accessories 

 (vitamines). Young guinea pigs on this diet gain in weight 

 faster than on the usual cabbage-carrots and oats ration. After 

 10 days, while still gaining in weight they develop swelling of the 

 joints and general tenderness — symptoms considered indicative of 

 experimental scurvy. Later occurs loss in weight followed by 

 death. Stools were frequent and pasty ; toward the end diarrheal. 

 A marked polyuria was present from the beginning of the diet. 

 Addition of over 7 per cent, cellulose as roughage did not change 

 the result. Orange juice, 5 c.c. daily, or fresh cabbage prevented 

 and cured these symptoms promptly with increase in weight. 



171 (1349) 



Further experiments with thyroidectomy in Amphibia. 

 By E. R. Hoskins and M. M. Hoskins. 



[From the Department of Anatomy, University and Bellevue Hospital 



Medical College.} 

 The thyroid gland anlage was removed from a large number 

 of Rana sylvatica larvae 6 to 8 mm. in length. From the time 



1 Osborne, T. B., and Mendel, L. B., 1917, Jour. Biol. Chem., 32, 369. 



