[Illustration: FIG. 14.--Failure of yeast as a prophylactic; latent
scurvy promptly yielding to orange juice.]
As is well known, yeast possesses the water-soluble vitamine in marked
concentration. It is natural, therefore, that its antiscorbutic power
was put to the test, especially as it has been accorded therapeutic
value. Hess and Unger showed that autolyzed yeast was of no value in
the cure of infantile scurvy (Fig. 14); Chick and Hume (1917) and Cohen
and Mendel (1918) came to the same conclusion in regard to guinea-pig
scurvy, making use of autolyzed yeast, yeast extract and dried brewers'
yeast.
In view of the fact that cod liver oil is practically a specific for
human rickets, Hess and Unger tried the effect of this oil both in
infantile scurvy and in that of guinea-pigs. It proved to have no
protective or curative value. The animal experiments were confirmed by
Cohen and Mendel. The use of olive oil also proved futile.
Pitz in 1918 reported that in animal experiments he had found that
lactose was able to protect against scurvy, and attributed this result
to its power to alter the intestinal flora. We shall not enter into a
detailed discussion of this question, as the study was carried out on a
ration embodying unlimited and uncontrolled amounts of milk, and it has
since been shown that the apparent cure was due to an increased
consumption of milk by the animals in the progress of the experiment.
Cohen and Mendel, Harden and Zilva, Hart, Steenbock and Smith (1919) all
failed to protect or to cure their animals with lactose when they were
placed on a ration which was definitely measured and limited. Hess and
Unger failed to cure infantile scurvy by means of lactose.
It has been suggested that scurvy is due to a lack of secretion of the
endocrine glands, a question which will be referred to again in
considering the relation of scurvy to other "deficiency diseases." With
this idea Ingier added thyroid, hypophysis, thymus and parathyroid to
the food of guinea-pigs, or gave it parenterally. She was unable to
observe any beneficial results. Jackson and Moore met with the same
result on feeding desiccated thyroid gland. We may add that we gave
dried thyroid and also parathyroid glands in the treatment of infantile
scurvy without effect.
CONCLUSIONS
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