of colon
bacilli that inhabit the large intestine. This view is not
inconsistent with the conception that under some conditions the colon
bacilli multiply to such an extent as to prove harmful through the
part they take in promoting fermentation and putrefaction."

~Effect of Bacterial Activity in the Body.~--In summarizing the
effects of bacterial action in the body it is found that with the
exception of oxalic acid, which is exceedingly injurious, and which,
according to Herter, results from the eating of large quantities of
meat and sugar, the products of fermentation are simply irritating in
character, while those resulting from putrefaction are distinctly
toxic. Among the substances deserving mention under this head we have
indol, skatol, cresol, and phenol. These substances are very soluble
and upon absorption combine with the sulphuric acid formed in the body
and are excreted by way of the kidneys where they appear in the urine
as "conjugated sulphates," the chief of which is indican. The amount
of indican in the urine is taken as a measure of the intensity of the
putrefaction taking place in the body.

~Metabolism.~--Under the term metabolism we understand the series of
processes through the foodstuffs and carried (a) in the conservation
of the tissues of the body and (b) in the maintenance of body
temperature and physical work (Taylor). The processes concerned in
metabolism are chiefly those of building up, "anabolism," and breaking
down, "catabolism." In the processes of anabolism the products
absorbed are built into the tissues and cells of the body. In
catabolism, the worn particles from the cells, and the dead cells no
longer useful are broken up and thrown out of the body. According to
Taylor, "side by side with these processes are the reactions of
combustion, whereby the temperature necessary for the life of the
cells is maintained, and the energy needed for external work
furnished."

~Behavior of Carbohydrates in Metabolism.~--As Sherman[59] has said:
"At least two kinds of enzymes are believed to be involved in the
combustion of glucose in the tissue cells, (1) cleavage enzymes, which
split the molecule into fragments more easily oxidized, and (2)
oxidizing enzymes or oxidases which stimulate the oxidation of the
cleavage products. Both kinds of enzymes are widely distributed
through the body and are believed to be normal constituents of all
active cells."

~Production of Energy.~--It has been pr