NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
64
The chemical analysis is same as that given under Experiment 22.
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed, the duration of
the experiment, the weight at the beginning and end of the experiment, the
percentage loss of weight, the occurrence or non-occurrence of neuritis:—
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
.
.
.
.
90
210
250
+19.0
Healthy.
2
.
. .
81
280
220
—21.4
Neuritis.
3
.
. .
80
260
160
—38.4
, ,
4
.
. .
73
310
2 4 0
— 2 2 . 5
, ,
5
.
. .
80
230
210
—8.6
, ,
6
.
. .
13
290
240
—17.3
, ,
Remarks.—In this experiment one pigeon out of six remained healthy,
whilst the remaining five succumbed to neuritis. This is of interest as
showing there may be individual peculiarities in certain pigeons by which
they can exist on a diet which is insufficient for the majority of pigeons.
Polished Rangoon rice (boiled).
Experiment 54.—Six pigeons received 30 grammes of this rice daily; the
rice was treated as in Experiments 22 and 51.
-
The chemical analysis is the same as that given under Experiment 22.
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed, the duration of
the experiment, the weight at the beginning and end of the experiment, the
percentage loss of weight, and the occurrence or non-occurrence of neuritis:—
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
. . . .
20
240
190
—12.5
Neuritis.
2
. . .
20
280
210
—25.0
, ,
3
•
•
•
•
68
250
170
—32.0
,,
1
.
. .
80
270
180
—33.0
, ,
5
. . .
79
290
210
—27.5
, ,
6
•
•
•
71
270
260
—3.7
, ,
65
Remarks.—In this experiment all six pigeons developed neuritis.
Polished Rangoon rice (boiled).
Experiment 55.—Six pigeons received 30 grammes of this rice daily; the
rice was treated as in Experiment 22.
The chemical analysis is the same as that given under Experiment 22.
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed on polished boiled
Rangoon rice, the duration of the experiment, the weight at the beginning
and end of the experiment, the percentage loss of weight, and the occurrence
or non-occurrence of neuritis:—
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
. .
. .
79
250
210
—16.0
Neuritis.
2
. .
. .
83
290
170
—41.3
, ,
3
.
.
. .
74
250
160
—36.0
,,
4
.
.
. .
83
290
200
—31.0
, ,
5
.
.
.
.
83
320
210
—34.7
, ,
6
.
.
.
.
90
250
190
—24.0
, ,
From a study of these experiments it will be seen that pigeons fed on
polished rice invariably develop neuritis and show progressive loss of weight,
proving that certain essential constituents necessary for the physiological
requirements of the body are absent from the polished rice grains. The
question arises, what are these essential constituents ? The researches of
Fraser and Stanton, and Schaumann, which have been already fully referred
to in this report, throw light on this problem.
Having seen that polished rice invariably produces neuritis, further
investigations have been made to show how this may be (a) prevented, (b)
cured by altering the diet.
In the first place we will consider the experimental investigations dealing,
with—
The prevention of neuritis in pigeons.
This may be done in the following ways:
—
(1) By substituting another grain diet for the polished rice.
K
66
(2) By substituting unpolished for polished rice or by adding the
polishings of rice (Koorah) in a certain percentage to the
polished rice diet.
The following table gives the results of the analysis of the various ingre-
dients of the mixture:—
1. Substitution of diet of other grains for polished rice.
Experiment 28.—Eleven pigeons received 30 grammes daily of the follow-
ing mixture:—
Wheat
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 82.0 parts.
Pulses
. . . . . . . .
13.0 , ,
Stones
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.1 , ,
Barley
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1.9 , ,
TOTAL
. 100
The other conditions of the experiment were the same as in the polished
rice ones.
The following table gives the results of the analysis of the mixture:—
Moisture.
Ash.
P 2 0 5 .
12.8
2.7
0.76
The following table gives the results of the analysis of the various ingre-.
dients of the mixture:—
Name of ingredient.
Moisture.
Ash.
P2O5.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Wheat, large.
.
.
.
13.7
2.1
0.74
,, small
. . .
14.1
2.0
0.80
Barley, husked
.
.
.
13.4
1.3
0.65
Pigeon pea, Arhar .
.
.
13.6
4.0
0.86
Green Mung
.
.
.
11.3
4.3
1.17
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed, the duration of
the experiment, the weight at the beginning and end of the experiment, the
67
percentage gain or loss of weight, and the occurrence or non-occurrence of
neuritis:—
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of
weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1.
.
.
208
280
310
—7.2
Well.
2
.
.
.
.
208
250
350
+40.0
,,
3
.
.
.
.
208
290
310
+6.8
, ,
4
.
.
.
.
103
260
280
+7.6
Flew away.
5
.
.
.
.
89
300
290
—3.3
Well.
6
.
.
.
.
159
270
310
+14.8
, ,
7
.
.
.
.
15
195
180
—7.6
Killed, no neuritis.
8
.
.
.
.
99
330
320
—3.03 Well.
9
.
.
.
.
15
230
250
+8.4
, ,
10
.
.
.
.
92
310
310
...
, ,
11
.
.
.
.
92
270
320
+18.5
, ,
Remarks .—From this table it will be seen that none of the pigeons deve-
loped neuritis. No. 7 showed signs of suppurative ophthalmia and was
destroyed. The majority of the pigeons gained weight during the experiment.
No. 10 has remained stationary. Nos. 5 and 8 have lost a very little weight.
They are all healthy. It will thus be seen that this diet meets the physiologi-
cal requirements of the body.
2. Substitution of unpolished for polished rice diet.
Six fowls received 30 grammes daily of unpolished Bengal rice. The
other conditions of the experiment were the same as in the polished rice diet.
The following table gives the results of the analysis of the unpolished
rice:—
Moisture.
Ash.
P2O5.
Percentage of P
2O5 in ash.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
11.10
1.7
0.80
47.0
K 2
68
The following table shows the number of fowls fed, the duration of
the experiment, the percentage gain or loss of weight, and the occurrence
or non-occurrence of neuritis:—
No. of fowls.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or
loss of
weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
.
.
.
.
113
950
980
+3. 4
Healthy.
2
.
.
.
.
113
900
1,000
+11.1
, ,
3
.
.
.
.
120
1,000
1,360
+36.0
, ,
4
.
.
.
.
120
900
1,060
17.7
, ,
5
.
.
.
.
113
900
1,020
+13.3
, ,
6
.
.
.
.
113
920
990
+7.6
, ,
Remarks.—This experiment demonstrates clearly the advantages of a
diet of unpolished rice as compared with polished rice. All the fowls
remained well and a gain of weight occurred in each case, whereas in the
polished rice experiments the pigeons developed neuritis with progressive
loss of weight.
3. By replacing one-third of the polished rice by Mung dal.
It was interesting to determine whether by adding a small proportion
of a grain which is recognised to be of value in the prevention of Beriberi
to a polished rice diet the animals could be maintained in good health and
the occurrence of neuritis prevented. The grain selected for this purpose
was the green Mung dal of India, Phaseolus radiates.
Experiment 47.—Six pigeons received 20 grammes of polished rice and 10
grammes of Mung dal daily instead of 30 grammes of polished rice, but the
other conditions of the experiment were the same as in the polished rice alone.
The following table shows the result of the analysis of the Mung dal:—
Moisture.
Ash.
Albuminoids.
P
2
O
5 .
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
14.6
3.2
22.2
0.95
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed, the duration of
the experiment, the weight at the beginning and end of the experiment, the
WEIGHT
IN
GRAMS.
AUGST AUGST
VI.
EXPERIMENT XXXXVI FOWLS ON POLISHED RICE.
EXPERIMENT XXXVII FOWLS ON UNPOLISHED RICE.
PERIOD DURING WHICH THE FOWLS ARE FED ON POLISHED RICE.
,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,UNPOLISHED RICE.
SHOWING
PIGEONS
PIGEONS FED O
BY B.L. DAS., CALCUTTA.
THIS CONTINUOUS LINES
DOTTED , ,
THICK CONTINUOUS LINE
DOTTED , ,
VII.
PREVENTION OF NEURITIS,
SHOWING EFFECT OF ADDING MUNG DAL TO POLISHED RICE.
EXPERIMENT 54.
PIGEONS FED ON POLISHED RICE (RANGOON).
EXPERIMENT 47.
PIGEONS FED ON MIXTURE POLISHED RICE & MUNG DAL.
BY B .L.DAS.,CALCUTTA
THIS CONTINUOUS LINES SHOW THE WEIGHT OF PIGEONS IN GRAMMES FEDON POLISHED RICE .
DOTTED
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,, ,,
,,
AND MUNG DAL.
THICK CONTINUOUS LINES SHOW THE PERIOD THE PIGEONS WERE FED ON POLISHED RICE.
DOTTED
,,
,,
,,
,, ,,
,,
,, AND MUNG DAL.
69
percentage gain or loss of weight and the occurrence or non-occurrence
of neuritis :—
No. of pigeons.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or
loss of
weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
. . . .
64
260
200
- 2 3
Died, no neuri
tis.
2 .
.
.
.
161
270
310
+14.8
Healthy.
3
.
.
. .
161
260
300
+15.3
, ,
4
.
.
. .
161
280
270
-3.5
, ,
5
. . . .
161
230
280
+21.3
,,
6
.
.
. .
161
260
280
+7.6
,,
Remarks.—This experiment is a very interesting one. It will be seen that
five out of the six pigeons remained healthy. One pigeon died with loss of
weight but there was no neuritis. Of the remaining healthy pigeons one
showed a slight loss of weight, 3.5 per cent., all the others showed a gain.
This experiment, therefore, proves that the development of neuritis and loss
of weight which occurs in pigeons fed on a pure polished rice diet can be
prevented by the addition of a suitable quantity of Mung dal of India.
This is an important observation and deserves special attention in regard to
the problem of the prevention of Epidemic Dropsy in India.
Curative treatment of neuritis by change of diet.
Having seen that pigeons develop neuritis with progressive loss of
weight when fed on polished rice, it became an important point to determine
whether the signs of neuritis would disappear and the pigeons regain weight
by simple change of diet without other treatment. Accordingly after the
signs of neuritis had developed the diet was changed from polished rice to
a mixture of wheat and pulses, which I have shown keeps the animals in
good health.
Five pigeons received 30 grammes of polished rice daily until signs of
neuritis had become well marked; it was then stopped entirely and 30 grammes
of wheat pulse diet was given daily.
The other conditions of experiment remained the same.
The analysis of the mixture has already been given on page 66.
The following table shows the number of pigeons fed on polished rice
and subsequently on the wheat pulse mixture, the duration of the experiment
70
on the polished rice and on the wheat pulse mixture, the weight at the begin-
ning and end of the periods of experiment on polished rice and on wheat
pulses, the percentage gain and loss of weight during both periods, the
occurrence or non-occurrence of neuritis during these periods:-
Period on polished rice (Rangoon).
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1
. . . .
28
330
200
-39.3
Neuritis.
2 . . . .
13
290
240
-17.3
,,
3
. . . .
20
240
190
-12.5
,,
4
. . . .
20
280
210
-25.0
, ,
5
. . . .
36
310
200
-35.4
„
Period on wheat pulse diet.
No. of pigeon.
Duration
of
experiment.
Weight at
beginning of
experiment.
Weight at
end of
experiment.
Gain or loss
of weight.
Result.
Days.
Gram.
Gram.
Per cent.
1 . . .
78
200
320
+60.0
Healthy.
2 . . .
78
240
330
+37.5 ,,
3
. . . .
71
190
240
+26.3
, ,
4 . . .
71
210
300
+42.8
, ,
5 . . .
49
200
270
+35.0
, ,
Remarks.—This is a very interesting experiment. If the pigeons had
been allowed to continue on polished rice diet after the neuritis had developed
then all five would have succumbed, as we have seen from the many experi-
VIII.
Ex. XXXV.
Fowl, No I .
BY B.L. DAS.,ART I ST
Period during which the fowl is fed on Barley.
Period during which the fowl is fed on Mūng dal, wheal and pulses.
From 14.9.10. Animal showed distinct signs of Neurilis.
Diet changed Prom Barley to Mūng dal and wheat, pulses.
SHO
W
W H E A
THIN CONTINUOUS LINE
DOTTED
,,
THICK CONT/NUOUS LINE
DOTTED
,,
Reg No. 3705 E., 11.—H.—1,055,
IX.
DIETETIC TREATMENT OF NEURITIS .
SHOWING EFFECT OF CHANGING DIET FROM POLISHED RICE TO
WHEAT AND PULSES AFTER DEVELOPMENT OF NEURITIS,
EXPERIMENT 49
THIN CONTINUOUS LINES SHOW THE WEIGHT OF PIGEONS IN GRAMMES FED ON POLISHED RICE.
DOTTED
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
SAME ,, ,,
WHEN DIET CHANGED TO MUNG DAL,WHEAT AND PULSES.
THICK CONTINUOUS LINES SHOW THE, PERIOD THE PIGEONS WERE FED ON POLISHED RICE.
DOTTED
,, ,,
,,
,,
,,
SAME
,, ,,
,, MUNG DAL AND PULSES,
Reg. No. 3705E., 11.—H.—1,055,
71
ments already made. By stopping the rice dietary completely and substitut-
ing wheat and pulses I was able to save all five pigeons. The symptoms of
neuritis gradually disappear. In one animal the gait remained altered for
some weeks, but gradually improved. All five pigeons regained the weight
which they had lost.
The experiment is of very considerable importance and throws light on
the treatment of this condition. If the structural alterations are too ad-
vanced then, of course, change of diet will not be so likely to effect an improve-
ment. Hence in the case of human beings the early recognition of the disease
is of great importance in order that the change of diet may be made at the
earliest opportunity before the anatomical lesions are too pronounced.
In regard to the above experiments on the prophylactic and curative
treatment of Epidemic Dropsy a recent publication of Hulshoff Pol.¹ in which
he communicates the results of his researches on Beriberi in the Dutch East
India Colonies with special reference to its prophylactic and curative treat-
ment is of interest and a full summary of this important paper is given.
He conducted an investigation on the curative action of Phaseolus
radiatus, the Mung dal of India, on Beriberi cases occurring in his Lunatic
Asylum. The observation lasted from August 1901 to end of April 1902.
He added to the usual dietary of half the Beriberi patients, Phaseolus
radiatus 50 grammes thrice daily. The other articles of diet were 500 gram.
rice daily; in the morning, rice and flesh or fish. Abundance of vegetables
and spices were given also. Later when he became convinced of the curative
value of the bean one meal of rice was withdrawn and replaced by 150
grammes beans. The beans were cooked as porridge, and sweetened with
sugar. It was definitely determined that the beans were eaten, by the observa-
tions of himself or his European attendants.
The following table gives the results of his observations :—
N U M B E R O F B E R I B E R I P A T I E N T S .
Received Phaseolus radiatus.
Received no Phaseolus.
A
B
C
D
E
Cured or improved.
Died. Cured or
improved.
Received Phaseolus after their condition had
become so bad that their life was despaired
of A rapid improvement set in.
44
0
6
7
7
4 4
20
64
1 Archiv. Schiff. u. Tropehygiene, Bd. XIV, Beiheft, 3, 1910.
72
The following observations were made by him on the prophylactic value
of Phaseolus in Beriberi :
—
There were 300 lunatics in 12 pavilions. The inhabitants of Pavilions
Nos. 1, 5 and 9 received daily instead of a meal of rice 130 grammes Phaseolus.
The inhabitants of Nos. 2, 6, and 10 Pavilions received daily 300 grammes.
of various vegetables, more than the usual amount. These were partly cooked,
partly raw.
The inhabitants of Nos. 3, 7, 11 Pavilions acted as controls and received
the usual diet.
The inhabitants of Nos. 4, 8, 12 Pavilions received the usual daily food,.
but the pavilions were all disinfected with 3 per cent. solution Sapocarbol.
A complete spraying took place weekly with this solution. At first dead
beetles, lizards and other vermin were found, but later not a single animal
was found.
The following table shows the results of his observations for nine
months :—
—
Number of persons. Developed Beriberi.
Pavilions Nos. 1, 5, 9 received Phaseolus
.
.
.
78
1
Pavilions Nos. 2, 6, 10 extra vegetables
.
.
.
86
16
Pavilions Nos. 3, 7, 11 controls .
.
.
.
78
33
Pavilions Nos. 4, 8,12 disinfected
.
.
.
.
58
19
The above experiment shows that Phaseolus radiates has a powerful
prophylactic action in Beriberi.
He took Pavilions. Nos. 2 and 7, where Beriberi cases were numerous,
and put them on a diet of Phaseolus, whilst he stopped the bean diet in Nos. 1
and 5.
The diet of Pavilions. Nos. 3, 4, 6, 8 was not altered. This second experi-
ment lasted from May 1902 to February 1904, namely, 21 months. The
results were as follows :
—
Pavilions 2 and 7, bean diet,—no Beriberi.
Pavilions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 as well as 10,—5, 19, 6 and 10 cases of Beriberi
occurred.
The observations were continued by Von Hengel1 when the author was
absent.
1 Hulshoff Pol. Geneesh. Tijdschr. Van. N. I., 1906 (Ll. 490 proven van van Hengel).
73
The following table shows the complete results of his prophylactic experi-
ments with Phaseolus which extended over three years:—
—
Number of Beriberi cases.
Pavilion 1—
May to July 1901, only rice
.
.
.
.
......
5
August 1901 to April 1902, rice and beans .
.
0
......
May 1902 to January 1904, only rice .
.
.
......
10
February to June 1904, only rice
.
.
.
......
12
0
27
During rice and beans:
—
9 months
.
. no cases.
During rice alone:—
27 months .
. 27 cases.
Pavilion 2—
May to July 1901, only rice
. .
.
.
......
4
August 1901 to July 1902, only rice .
.
.
......
5
August 1902 to January 1904, rice and bean
.
0
......
February to June 1904, only rice
.
.
.
......
9
0
18
During rice and beans:
—
19 months
.
.
0 cases.
During rice alone:
—
19 months
.
. 18 cases.
Pavilion 3—
May 1901 to January 1904, only rice .
.
.
......
23
Pavilion 4—
May 1901 to January 1904, only rice .
.
.
......
26
Pavilion 5—
May 1901 to January 1904, only rice .
.
.
......
3
August 1901 to May 1902, rice and beans .
.
0
......
June 1902 to June 1904, only rice
.
.
.
......
20
During rice and beans:—
0
23
10 months
.
.
0 cases.
During rice alone:—
28 months
.
. 23 cases.
74
—
Number of Beriberi cases.
P a v i l i o n 6 —
May 1901 to June 1904, only rice
. . .
......
42
Pavilion 7—
May to July 1901, only rice
.
.
......
3
August 1901 to May 1902, only rice .
......
18
June 1902 to January 1904, rice and beans
. . .
0
. . . . . . .
February 1904 to June 1904, rice only.
.
......
6
During rice and beans : —
0
27
20 months . . 0 cases.
18 months . . 27 cases.
Pavilion 8—
May 1901 lo June 1904, only rice
. . .
......
25
Kiewiet de Jonge1 r e p e a t e d a n d c o n f i r m e d t h e s e o b s e r v a t i o n s . H u l s h o f f
Pol also tried the use of decoction of the beans. He had already investigated
this question in 1903.² He made a decoction of 500 grammes of the beans and
he considered this quantity given daily was sufficient for the cure of a case
of Beriberi.
He carried out the observations for two months, the results of which are
given in the following table :—
A. Control without decoction.
21 Beriberi cases.
(a) Cured
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
1
(b) Only improved .
.
.
.
. .
0
(c) Remained stationary
.
.
.
.
.
.
8
(d) Became worse
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7
(These improved on receiving the decoction.)
(e) Severely ill .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
3
(The life despaired of Received bean diet and
improved.)
( f) Died .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
TOTAL
. 21
1 Kiewiet de Jonge. Oaderzoekingen over Beriberi. Geneesk. Tijdschr. Van N. I., 1909 4
² HulshOff Pol. Beriberi. Voorkoming ea ginezing door Ketjong-Hidjoi (Phaseolus radiatus). Amsterdam, 1904,
de Bany.
75
B. Experiment with decoction .
18 Beriberi cases.
(a) Recovered
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
13
Became better
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5
(c) Remained stationary .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
0
(d) Became worse
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
0
(e) Became very ill
.
.
.
.
.
.
0
( f) Died
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOTAL
.
18
Kiewiet de Jonge confirmed the curative action of the decoction of
Phaseolus.
Hulshoff Pol isolated chemically from the decoction of beans an active
ingredient, and he calls it X. acid.
He reaches the following conclusions as a result of his investigations :—
1. In investigations on Beriberi a distinction must be drawn between the
disease itself and the paralysis resulting from the degeneration of the
neurones.
2. The disease can be cured by the exhibition of the remedy referred to
under 3, 4 and 6; the paralysis due to degeneration can only be cured by re-
generation.
3. Beriberi can be obviated by daily administration of at least 150
grammes of boiled Phaseolus beans sweetened with sugar. The beans can be
taken in addition to the regular food or instead of a meal.
4. Beriberi may be cured by the daily administration of at least 150
grammes of boiled beans. The paralysis due to degeneration remains and
will only be cured after regeneration.
5. Phaseolus has little influence on old cases because the symptoms de-
pend on degeneration of the neurones.
6. Beriberi can be cured by a decoction of not less than 500 grammes of
the beans daily.
7. The active ingredient of the bean for the treatment of Beriberi is.
soluble in water.
8. The chemically purified Phaseolus decoction in which there is no nu-
clein, vegetable mucin, etc., as well as the decoction, has valuable curative
properties for Beriberi.
9. By evaporating the chemically purified decoction crystals are obtained
which belong to an unknown vegetable acid. This acid is provisionally called
X. acid.
L2
76
10. The practitioner must regularly determine that the patients are
taking the remedy, because a few of them oppose it after long use.
11. The poor results which Japanese practitioners have had in treating
Beriberi with Phaseolus (Aduki) are partly due to the fact that they have
attempted to treat the degeneration of the neurones with Aduki.
12. The Japanese Aduki and the Dutch East Indian Katjong hidjoe be-
long to the same plant family : Phaseolus radiates , L., but they are different
varieties. The Japanese beans are red to black, the Dutch East Indian are
green. The Japanese variety can thrive in the Dutch East Indian Colonies,
but not well.
13. The Katjong hidjoe has no direct specific action on the kidneys. The
disappearance of the œdema is only a general sign of the cure of the disease.
14. The beans protect against Beriberi only so long as they are taken.
15. It is recommended to suspend the supply of beans, as soon as the
disease is cured or the epidemic has ceased.
16. A considerable increase of vegetables, raw or cooked, does not obviate
Beriberi.
17. Indian corn, given in similar amounts and in the same way as Kat-
jong hidjoe, is not able to prevent Beriberi.
18. Disinfection of the pavilions, whereby all beetles and lizards and
such vermin were killed, does not prevent Beriberi.
19. The polyneuritis of fowls, which pathologically closely resembles
Beriberi, can be cured either by the administration of the bean or a decoction
of it.
20. The polyneuritis of fowls is not favourably influenced by the admin-
istration of nucleins obtained from Katjong hidjoe.
The remarks of Hulshoff Pol regarding the attempt to treat cases where
the neurones are markedly degenerated should receive careful attention; be-
cause as he points out in cases where the signs are dependent on extensive de-
generation of the neurones amelioration can only be expected when the re-
generation commences. Hence it would be obviously unfair in judging the
effect of a change from an unsuitable to a suitable diet not to bear this in
mind, and make due allowance for it.
Effect of contaminating Grains with Bloomless Oil .
A theory in regard to the etiology of Epidemic Dropsy in Calcutta which
obtained considerable notoriety was based on the alleged fact that the mustard
oil consumed was being largely adulterated with mineral oils. Accordingly a
certain quantity of a mineral oil (" Bloomless oil ") was added to the food of
pigeons and the effects noted. The form of oil was said to have been added to