Maintenance nutrition in the pigeon and its relation to heart block

Abstract

Pigeons fed a diet of polished rice with 12 units of vit. B1 daily do not regain full wt. after depletion unless the protein intake is supplemented by caseinogen. Wt. recovery is not associated with recovery from heart block. The dietary origin of this cardiac arhythmia is shown by the fact that administration of an extract of wheat germ in amts. equivalent to 6-8 gm. completely restores function.