The Cairo bulletin., 1910-03-13
NUTRITION IN FOOD.
Government viii Test Value OF
Certain EatableS.
Volunteers Who Offer Services VIII
Be Placed In Copper Cases
to Measure Heat En-
ergy.


Washington. In connection with the
fight which the department OF agricul-
ture is preparing to wage in the inter
est of cheaper food marvellous ma
chine, variously described as an ZEN
ergy machine and respiration cal
orimeter,' has been perfected. and
within a brief period experiments are
to be made to determine the relative
values of food products as consumed
by human beings.
The tests will determine definitely
how much nutrition is derived from a
steak, potato, etc. and, In the final
analysis, the department will be able
to save large Institutions, and possibly
the army and navy. hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars in the purchase of
food supplies. In other words, the ex-
periments may show that certain
vegetable or certain kind of bread
furnishes more nutrition or energy
than another kind. In this event such
commodities may be utilized to advan-
tage in that smaller quantity may
furnish the same nutrition as larger
supply of other food, which may be
much more expensive.
II the tests develop the nutritive
value OF different kinds of food to the
satisfaction of the experts, the food
products which are found to be less
expensive, and at the same time fur
nlsh as much energy and nutrition as
other foods, will undoubtedly. the de-
partment believes, be adopted by large
institutions and the army and navy.
The machine Ia situated In the new
department of agriculture building.
and Is under the supervision of DIR. A.
G. True. DR.. True will be assisted In
making his experiments by Prof. G. F.
Langworthy, nutrition expert In charge
Of nutrition Investigations, ana several
other experts. Prof. Langworthy for
months has given the matter deep
study, and now that the machine Is
completed 1t is likely that experiments
on human subjects will be made with.
in short time. There are several
men in Washington who are said TO
have volunteered their services. Those
selected will be required to remain in
large cabinet for hours, days or even
weeks at a time, while tests are being
made.
The outcome of the experiments will
play an important part In the sale and
production OF food commodities, 1t Is
said. Every kind of food will be fed
the subjects, and a minute analysis
made Of their effect Secretary Wilson
has given much attention to the ma
chine, and he believes that the nation
VIII be benefited by the experiments.
With the aid OF the machine" sail
Secretary Wilson, 1T Is proposed tt
study the relative ease Of digestion
Of cheese made and cured In different
ways, a line OF work OF the utmost i'm
portance, In view OF the experiments
already completed, which have dem
onstrated the thoroughness of diges
tion and nigh nutritive value of cheese
as an economic article OF diet. 1t also
Is proposed to study with the machine
the relative value Of butter lard, beei
fat, olive oil and other edible ant
culinary fats as sources of energy II
the body matter on which data IL
much needed in considering problems
now before the department
Studies made and In part report
ed" continued the secretary, have
shown the value OF fruits and pre-
serves, evaporated fruits, and Other
fruit products, and of nuts and nu
products, as integral parts of the diet
The machine, the respiration calorime
ter, is essential for the measurement
of factors which are at present imper
feetly understood.
The work Of the department In M
tmtive Investigations and kindred lines
| has a vital relation to the work OF oul
! agricultural colleges. In response Il
| a widespread demand among farmers
and other people, these colleges are
| conducting courses In home economics
in which instruction regarding the nu
| tritive value of differsT foods ant
| ways of handling and oooking them |.
an important feature.
Recognizing the Importance Of tn,
nutrition Investigations Of the depart
ment In this connection, students
teachers, investigators and Individual
interested in such problems are turn
ing to the department In increasing
numbers for information This is on
phase of the great movement for tn
Improvement of life in both countr,
and city through education. directl
relating to home interests"
l fF,.a.I I.nH