Some Effects of Sodium Benzoate. 



123 



acidity. Chassevant and Gamier found that 1.4 gram of benzoic 

 acid per kilo was fatal to guinea pigs in five to seven hours ; larger 

 doses (2 grams per kilo) did not necessarily kill sooner. 



The results of my own work may be briefly summarized as 

 follows : 



Effects on microorganisms. — Sodium benzoate, in concentrations 

 of about I per cent, preserves fruits and vegetables which are 

 stro7igly acid. Crystals of free benzoic acid often appear in such 

 mixtures. Sodium benzoate (i per cent.) added to weakly acid 

 fruits and vegetables does not preserve them well. Sodium ben- 

 zoate (i per cent.) added to fruits and vegetables, the acidity of 

 which has been neutralized, does not preserve them. Pure apple 

 juice, containing o. I per cent, of sodium benzoate, developed 

 mould after ten days ; commercial benzoated cider under the same 

 conditions, without the further addition of benzoate, did not de- 

 velop mould or otherwise undergo degeneration. 



Effects 071 taste. — Acid fruit juices containing i per cent, of so- 

 dium benzoate, have a biting taste, an effect due to the liberated 

 benzoic acid. Milk or alkaline vegetables treated with sodium 

 benzoate (i per cent.) do not taste of benzoic acid at any time 

 during the first twenty-four hours after the treatment. After 

 twenty-four hours, however, acid decomposition begins in milk in 

 spite of the presence of i per cent, of sodium benzoate, when the 

 mixture tastes distinctly of benzoic acid. Sips of i c.c. of orange 

 juice, to which i per cent, of sodium benzoate has been added, cause 

 burning in the posterior part of the mouth, the throat, the esoph- 

 agus and stomach, with gastric discomfort, belching, uneasi- 

 ness of the bowels and excessive passage of gas by rectum. 



Experiments on men zvith cider. Pure cider. — Pure apple 

 juice tastes sweet, bland; produces no stinging sensation in the 

 throat; and is ordinarily enjoyed and well borne in volumes 

 equal to 1,000 to 2,500 c.c. (ingested during a period of two or 

 three hours). It is diuretic in action and, in amounts varying 

 from 1,000 to 2,000 c.c, causes laxation of the bowels. This 

 effect frequently depends on the rapidity with which it is ingested ; 

 it does not ordinarily cause laxation even when taken in large 

 amounts, if ingested little by little. The average amount of pure 

 apple juice consumed during an evening by adult males who 



