Influence of Geographical Location upon Basal Metabolism. The basal metabolism is the rate of production of heat by an individual while in the post-absorptive condition and in a state of rest and relaxation.
It is the energy required to maintain the body temperature, circulation, respiration, the work of the ductless glands, and necessary cellular function in the resting animal.
It varies with the height, weight, age, and sex. Recent work of Jennie Tilt (J. Biol. Chem., 1930, 86, 635-641) indicates that basal metabolism may also be influenced by geographical location. She used as subjects 52 normal young women, college students in Florida, who either were natives of that state or else had lived there most of their lives. The basal metabolism of these women tended to be lower than that predicted for women of the same age living in the north.
Repeated determinations, made on certain members of this group at intervals of several months, showed that their basal metabolism was not influenced by the season of the year.
J. S. H.
New Test for Irish Moss. According to GEORGE E. EWE (J. Am. Pharmaceutical ASSO., 1930, 19,[568][569][570] a solution of methylene blue yields a deep blue precipitate with the decoction of Irish moss. The precipitate forms in either the hot or the cold decoction, and is not produced by decoctions of tragacanth, Indian gum, and acacia, or by gelatin. When the other gums are mixed with Irish moss, the precipitate forms, but is more finely divided.