346 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXVIII, No. 4 
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 
The results obtained from the analyses of the edible viscera are reported in 
Tables I, II, and III. For purposes of comparison, Table IV, showing the 
average composition of beef muscle from different parts of the carcass, has been 
compiled from analyses previously reported in another connection (8 ). 
In general, the data embodied in Tables I, II, and III correspond with what is 
known regarding the physiological functions of the several organs, and with such 
analytical data as are to be found in the general textbooks. Since most of the 
organs are the seat of intense physiological activity, and are correspondingly rich 
in cells, while some are known to be comparatively rich in phospholipins, high 
percentages of phosphorus, and more especially of organically combined phos¬ 
phorus, were to have been expected. The deficiency of carbohydrates in hog 
liver was unexpected, however, in view of the well-known function of the liver 
as a storage depot for glycogen; and the reason for this deficiency is not clear. 
In so far as the data bear upon the question of nutritive value, they show that the 
edible viscera are preeminently nitrogenous foods, and as such are most properly 
compared with meat as a standard. A practical equivalence between lean beef 
muscle, and the livers of ox, calf, and hog, in this respect, is indicated, while the 
other organs examined were all inferior to beef muscle in their nitrogen content. 
With the exception of hearts, tongues, lungs, and stomachs, on the other hand, the 
edible viscera examined were found to be richer in phosphorus than is beef muscle. 
The chemical composition of a food, however, can no longer be regarded as 
constituting in and of itself a sufficient index of its nutritive value; so that 
further discussion of the nutritive value of the edible viscera will be postponed 
until the studies now in progress on the biological value of their proteins and on 
their value as sources of the several vitamins shall have been completed. 
LITERATURE CITED 
(1) Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. 
1920. OFFICIAL AND TENTATIVE METHODS OF ANALYSIS. AS COMPILED BY 
THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF METHODS. Revised to NOV. 
1 , 1919. 417 p., illus. Washington, D. C. 
(2) Chapin, R. M., and Powick, W. C. 
1915. AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF INORGANIC PHOS¬ 
PHORIC ACID IN CERTAIN TISSUES AND FOOD PRODUCTS. Jour. 
Biol. Chem. 20: 97-114. 
(3) Fellenberg, T. von 
1918. BESTIMMUNGEN DER PURINBASEN IN NAHRUNGSMITTELN. Biochem. 
Ztschr. 88: 323-336. 
(4) Folin, O. 
1914. ON THE DETERMINATION OF CREATININE AND CREATINE IN BLOOD, 
MILK AND TISSUES. Jour. Biol. Chem. 17: 475-481. 
(5) Grube, K. 
1910. NACHWEIS, DARSTELLUNG UND QUANTITATIVE BESTIMMUNG DES 
glykogens. (Abderhalden, E. Handbuch der Biochemischen 
Arbeitsmethoden 2: 159-166.) 
(6) Hoagland, R. 
1917. THE QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF DEXTROSE IN MUSCULAR TISSUE. 
(7) - Jour. Biol. Chem. 31: 67-77. 
1923. VITAMIN B IN THE EDIBLE TISSUES OF THE OX, SHEEP, AND HOG. 
U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 1138, 48 p., illus. 
(8) --McBryde, C. N., and Powick, W. C. 
1917. CHANGES IN FRESH BEEF DURING COLD STORAGE ABOVE FREEZING. 
U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 433, 100 p. 
(9) Kroger, M., and Schittenhelm, A. 
1905. DIE MENGE UND HERKUNFT DER PURINKORPER IN DEN MEN- 
schlichen faeces. Ztschr. Physiol. Chem. 45: 14-27. 
(10) Lorenz, N. von. 
1901. phosphorsaurebestimmung IN DUNGER, BODEN UND ASCHE DURCH 
DIREKTE WAGUNG DES AMMONIUM PHOSPHORMOLYBDATES. Landw. 
Vers. Stat. 55: 183-220. 
