Because of the high incidence and mortality of gastrointestinal cancer1 its study has been given considerable attention in the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases. A program has been designed for the investigation of the associated metabolic abnormalities. A detailed study of this nature is believed to be important for two reasons: (1) Through it some clue may be found as to the cause of the disease, and (2) information may be secured by means of which the morbidity and mortality resulting from operative and radiologic procedures can be reduced. The results of numerous clinical and experimental studies suggest that dietary factors are important in the maintenance of a normal gastrointestinal mucous membrane.2 Hence a study of the nutritional status of patients with intestinal neoplasms might demonstrate inability to metabolize properly various dietary constituents. Thus far the subjects of the detailed studies which have