Experiments on Nutrition. VI

OUR previous experiments [1922, 1923] on the rearing of chicks have indicated that the quantity of vitamin B required by the birds must bear a relation to the quantity of food consumed. These observations were thus similar to those described by Braddon and Cooper [1914]. Men with their greater energy output and consuming more rice than women were more subject to the disease. If men and women were kept upon the same fixed ration, as in institutions, both were equally susceptible. If they were supplied with equal quantities of other foodstuffs, an increase in the amount of white rice was followed by more cases of beriberi. The time of the appearance of the typical paralysis has been seen also to vary with the climatic conditions. Cold and wet weather, as well as exercise, hastened the onset, whilst warmth and rest delayed the appearance-of the typical symptoms.