Nutrition Bibliography of Malaya 9780824891510

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PACIFIC AREA BIBLIOGRAPHIES

NUTRITION BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MALAYA

NUTRITION BIBLIOGRAPHY OF M A L A Y A compiled P.

C.

and annotated

by

LEONG

University Honolulu,

of Hawaii Hawaii

19 5 2

Press

Copyright, 19 52, by University of Hawaii P r e s s Manufactured in U.S.A. by Watkins Printery, Ltd. Honolulu, Hawaii

FOREWORD This is the second annotated nutrition bibliography to be published as a result of a recommendation made in 1949 at the Seventh Pacific Science Congress in New Zealand that such bibliographies be prepared for the Pacific area. Because many of the foods used in Malaya are similar to those of Indonesia and other Pacific islands, I invited Dr. P. C. Leong of the University of Malaya to prepare this bibliography. World War II caused a suspension of all r e search, and Dr. Leong writes that resumption of nutrition research has been slow. "Pacific Islands Nutrition Bibliography" by Dr. Robert J. Fanning, published by the University of Hawaii P r e s s in 1951, covered the literature for Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territory through June 30, 1950. Bibliographies for other areas are being prepared. This bibliography covers the literature for Malaya through June 30, 1951. C A R E Y D. M I L L E R Professor of Foods and Nutrition University of Hawaii November, 1951

vii

BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, G. V., and R. G. Scott Macgregor Experiences in the civilian camp at Singapore Med. J. Malaya, 1947, 2, 1-9 This article records the quantities of foodstuffs supplied by the Japanese to the internment camp in Singapore for British and other European civilians during the occupation. The dietary values of the camp diet and the health and living conditions of the internees throughout the internment period were also recorded. The evidence suggested that there would have been serious outbreaks of deficiency diseases if the Japanese rations had not been supplemented by green vegetables grown in the camp gardens and, whenever possible, by purchases from outside sources of protective foods like rice polishings, ground nuts, and green dhal. (This article was reprinted from Proc.Nutrit. Soc., London, 1946, 5, 107116.)

Barrowman, Barclay Some heights and weights records of young Tamils under plantation conditions J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1941, 5, 51-54 Tables are given which show the heights and weights of 618 Tamil children of both sexes between 3 and 17 years of age. Biochem. Lab., King Edward VII Coll. Med., Singapore Food Facts I Malayan Med. J., 1929, 4, 148-150

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2 • BIOCHEM. L A B . - F A S AL First of a series of bulletins on food, prepared for the use of Malayan schools. Article contains a short discussion on energy requirements and on the importance of protein, minerals, and vitamins in the diet. A table gives the proximate analyses of 9 animal products, 13 cereals and pulses, and 32 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Food Facts II. How to build your diet Malayan Med. J., 1930, 5, 43-44 Second of a series of bulletins on food, prepared for Malayan schools. The calorie value and the protein content are calculated for 5 specimen diets made up of different quantities of rice, meat, and dhal. Different methods of varying these three items with other types of food are discussed. Brooke, Gilbert E. Glycine soja Malaya Med. J., 1911, 9, 20-23 Brief notes on the botany and horticulture of glycine soja are given, together with a short description of its use as an article of food in the form of bean curd, bean milk, bean cheese, bean flour, and bean oil. An analysis of this bean is reported in terms of protein (35.3%), c a r bohydrate (26%), fat (18.9%), and salts (4.6%). These values are compared with those of certain cereals, vegetables, nuts, and animal foods. Byron, F. E. Modern methods of rice milling Med. J. Malaya, 1947, 1, 177-179 The author describes briefly the principal methods in use for reducing the loss of nutrients due to milling of rice, viz., by undermilling, parboiling, "conversion," and fortification. Food preservation and nutrient losses Med. J. Malaya, 1947, 2, 62-65

BIOCHEM. LAB. - FASAL

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A short article discussing the various methods of p r e serving food f r o m the point of view of loss of nutrients. Canton, N. A., J. L. Rosedale, and J. P. Morris Chemical analyses of Malayan foods. 191 pp. Prepared food dishes were purchased f r o m s t r e e t vendors and eating houses in Singapore and analysed for water, mineral, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate, and calories. The number of different preparations investigated amounted to 770, made up of 494 Chinese, 167 Indian, 77 Malay, and 32 Japanese dishes. The ingredients, methods of preparation, weight, and price of each dish purchased were also recorded. Corke, Winifred H., and Lilian M. Bush An investigation of some cases of anemia in Tamil women Malayan Med. J., 1930, 5, 129-135 An account of 31 cases of pernicious anemia of pregnancy in Kuala Pilah, in the state of Negri Sembilan. Some selected cases are described in detail. The impression is formed that pernicious anemia is common among Indian women and that it originates in a combination of a blood-destroying infection, such as malaria and syphilis, and an insufficiency of vitamins in the diet. Fasal, P. A nutritional survey of the Federated Malay States. III. Supplementary food on estates Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1941, No. 1. 16 pp. The introduction of supplementary food rations for children and for pregnant and nursing women on the estates is advocated as an effective means of improving the nutritional state of these undernourished groups. Several recipes a r e described in detail, utilizing as ingredients soya bean, red palm oil, skim milk powder, and fish meal. The food values of these preparations a r e given in tables, in t e r m s of calories, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins A, Bj, B2, and C.

4 • FASAL - HARIDAS

A nutritional survey of the Federated Malay States. IV. Food values of common a r t i c l e s of diet for Malays and Tamils, etc., in Malaya Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1941, No. 3. 22 pp. The publications on nutritive value of foodstuffs f r o m the Department of Biochemistry, King Edward VII College of Medicine, Singapore, and f r o m laboratories in India and Netherland Indies were incorporated into a set of tables. This compilation is of use to health and a g r i cultural workers, teachers, and food supply officers, who often experience considerable difficulty in obtaining such data. Field, John W. Some observations on vitamin A starvation among immigrant Indians in Malaya Malayan Med. J., 1931, 6, 46-53 A description is given of the eye lesions associated with various stages of vitamin A deficiency. The degree of incidence among 1,585 Indian children examined was 4.2% while that of 1,259 Malay children was 0.4%. Though no figures a r e available, this condition among Chinese children is regarded as comparatively r a r e . Among adults, vitamin A deficiency r a r e l y p r o g r e s s e s beyond the stage of night-blindness and the Indian laborer appears to be the most susceptible, the Malay rather l e s s , and the Chinese least of all. Georgi, C. D. V., and G. L. Teik Pulasan and rambutan fats Malayan Agric. J., 1929, 17, 364-366 The fat content of the seeds of two Malayan f r u i t s , the pulasan and the rambutan, a r e 74.9% and 36.0% r e s p e c tively, on a m o i s t u r e - f r e e basis. The m.p. of both fats is approximately 38° C. The more important analytical constants of the fats and fatty acids a r e also d e t e r mined.

FASAL - HARIDAS • 5 Goh, K. K. Dental infections among school children in Penang Malayan Med. J., 1935, 10, 53 Results of school medical inspections in the urban and rural areas of Penang showed that dental decay is prevalent among school children of all races. The incidence of gross dental defects is distributed as follows: Chinese 51%, Malay 45%, and Indian 40%. Gordon, G. A. C. The health of the European child in Singapore and Malaya Malayan Med. J., 1928, 3, 32-40 A general article discussing the perplexing question as to the age at which European children in Malaya should be repatriated. The comparatively favorable living conditions in Malaya as compared with those of other tropical countries are stressed. The opinion is expressed that, with good ante-natal and post-natal treatment, strict supervision of food and general welfare, the average period of residence could be extended to the age of nine. Haridas, Gopal Cases of secondary anemia among Northern and Southern Indians in Singapore Malayan Med. J., 1929, 4, 133-136 This is an account of nine cases of secondary anemia found among four Indian races domiciled in Singapore and of their successful treatment with a commercial liver extract. A case of hypo-vitaminosis A Malayan Med. J., 1935, 10, 151-152 The previous history, symptomatology, course, and treatment of a case of vitamin A deficiency in a SouthIndian Hindu male infant of 5 months was described. This child had been fed on a very low fat and moderately high carbohydrate diet; the xeropthalmia was cured when an ample supply of vitamin A in the form of Adexolin was allowed.

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HAWES-LEONG

Hawes, R. B. The soy bean Malayan Med. J., 1930, 5, 72 A short lecture describing a method of preparing soy bean pie, the ingredients consisting of soy bean, soy bean sauce, c a r r o t s , onions, wheat flour, and coconut oil. The following analysis of soy bean is given in g. per 100 g.: water 11.4, protein 35.7, fat 17.5, carbohydrate 2C.7, fibre 4.2, P2C>5 1.08, CaO 0.258, F e 2 0 3 0.025. The calorific value of this bean is 419 per 100 g. Hughes, William Infantile scurvy Malayan Med. J., 1936, 11, 55-57 A description of a case of scurvy in a Chinese female child of 3 y e a r s admitted into the General Hospital, Penang. The urgent symptoms disappeared after a week on orange juice; i.e., the gums had receded and complete reabsorption of the hemorrhage had taken place. Kingsbury, A. N., and P. Fasal A nutritional survey of the Federated Malay States. I. Illustrated descriptions of common clinical manifestations of subnutrition among r u r a l Malays and Tamils Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1940, No. 1. 14 pp. The following f o r m s of food deficiency conditions commonly met with in the r u r a l a r e a s of the Federated Malay States a r e described in detail: xerosis of the conjunctiva (including Bitot's spots) and of the skin, phrynoderma, angular stomatitis, and rickets. There a r e 28 photographs illustrating these conditions. and P. Fasal A nutritional survey of the Federated Malay States, n . Heights and weights tables for young Tamils under plantation conditions Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1940, No. 2. 7 pp. Tables a r e published showing the average heights and

HAWES-LEONG

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weights of more than 3,600 children and young adults, mainly of the Tamil race, living on plantations in the states of Perak, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan. In these tables are also columns showing for each height, weights that are 5% above and 5%, 10%, and 15% below the average of the weights obtained by measurement of each height group. Those subjects whose physique was recorded as "good" were usually found to weigh over 5% above the average, so that the "above average by 5%" weights should be regarded as the goal in the a s s e s s ment of nutrition of Tamil children. Leong, P. C. A review on the B vitamin complex Malayan Med. J., 1932, 7, 19-22 A review dealing with the multiple nature of the vitamin B complex. A rough evaluation of vitamin A in oils Malayan Med. J., 1934, 9, 205 A description of a method for the rough measurement of the vitamin A content of oils by the SbCl3 reaction, suitable for workers not possessing the Lovibond tintometer. The reaction is carried in a test tube and the blue color compared with a blue paper pattern representing 4B on the Lovibond, which is attached to the publication. Vitamin A content of Malayan foods J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1939, 2, 219-228 Many Malayan foods were analyzed for carotene and/ or vitamin A in terms of yellow units and blue units in a Lovibond tintometer. The yellow units were converted into I.U. by a factor obtained by testing a specimen of pure fi -carotene, and the blue units were multiplied by 0.6 for conversion into I.U. (Moore, 1937). Among the vegetables, kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), sayoh kuchai (Allium odorum), and sayoh puteh (Brassica chinensis) were the richest sources, containing about 130 I.U. per g.

8 • LEONG Vitamin A content of Malayan bananas J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1939, 3, 156-161 The vitamin A content of two varieties of bananas as measured by the rat-growth method was compared with the results obtained by a colorimetric method. It was found that the colorimetric assay gave an average value which was about 2.5 times higher than that obtained by the biological assay. The vitamin A content of 15 other varieties was measured by first determining the values by the colorimetric technique and then dividing the results by the factor 2.5 to obtain what was considered to be the true vitamin A potency. The vitamin A content for the 17 varieties was found to range from 30 to 700 I.U. per 100 g. The antiscorbutic activity of dehydroascorbic acid J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1939, 3, 228-237 The antiscorbutic activity of dehydroascorbic acid prepared by the action of (1) ascorbic acid oxidase and (2) iodine was compared with that of reduced ascorbic acid. Comparison was based on the degree of protection of guinea pigs from scurvy on post mortem examination, the ascorbic acid reserves in the liver, maintenance of weight, and the length of the survival period. No difference in antiscorbutic activity was detected. A preparation of irreversibly oxidised ascorbic acid was found to possess no antiscorbutic activity. Vitamin C content of Malayan foods J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1939, 3, 238-257 The vitamin C content of a large number of Malayan and imported fruits and vegetables was estimated by a modified indophenol titration method. The following are rich and inexpensive sources of vitamin C: guava (Psidium guajava), papaya (Carica papaya), small lime, pisang tandok (Musa paradisiaca), carambola (Averrhoa carambola), drumstick (Moringa pterygosp'erma), Chinese mustard leaf (Brassica juncea), spinach (Amaranthus

LEONG • 9 viridis), Chinese cabbage leaf (Brasgica chinensis), and sweet potato tops. The presence of ascorbic acid oxidase and ofdehydroascorbic acid in fruits and vegetables was also investigated. Ascorbic acid oxidase was present in most sources, but absent from the following: citrus fruits, papaya, pineapple, mango, watermelon, tapioca (Manihot utilissima), ladies fingers (Abelmoschus esculentus), blimbing (Averrhoa belimbi), and bamboo shoots (Dendrocalamus flagellifer). Vitamin Bj (Thiamine) content of foods J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 66-107 The technique of estimating thiamine by the bradycardia method is described in detail. The thiamine content of approximately 350 food items is reported in terms of I.U. per 100 g. The thiamine content in I.U. per 100 g. in the best sources was 270 in green dhal (Phaseolus radiatus), 245 in soya bean (Glycine soja), 140 in unpolished rice, 235 in Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), 360 in peanut (Arachis hypogea), 260 in pork and bacon. Many cereals, pulses, vegetables, and meat products were analyzed also in the cooked state. The results showed that the stability of thiamine during cooking depends on the method of cooking and on the nature of the food.

Nicotinic acid content of foods J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 261-278 The nicotinic acid content of a large number of foods was estimated by the cyanogen bromide-aniline method, using the Lovibond tintometer for comparison of color. The nicotinic acid in mg. per 100 g. in the best sources was 25.2 in pig liver, 25.0 in ox liver, 6.4 in unpolished rice, 5.9 in peanut, 4.4 in lean bacon, 4.1 in lean mutton, and 3.5 in barley. Fruits and vegetables were negligible sources, the values ranging from3 (1%), and rice powder (79%). Heating red palm oil to 220° C. for 30 minutes resulted in the complete destruction of vitamin A activity. Gingelly oil and earthnut oil were unable to prevent xerophthalmia when fed at the level of 1% of the basal diet.

Chemical analyses of Malayan foods. 1935. 29 pp. Many foods commonly eaten in Malaya (both locally produced and imported) were analyzed for water, mineral, salt, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate^ calories, CI, P205, CaO, tag, Na, K2O, SO4, Fe, Cu, Mu, and I. The proteins of some meats, eggs, fish, milk, and vegetables were also analyzed for certain amino acids. The vitamin A content of about 100 foods was given in terms of Lovibond blue and yellow units. The vitamin B value of 54 foods was expressed with reference to dried yeast as 100 and the antiscorbutic value of 81 fruits and vegetables was given in terms of the minimum protective dose for a guinea pig.

The improvement of local dietaries Malayan Med. J., 1936, 11, 151-153 The dietary schedule drawn up by the League of Nations (Physiological Bases of Nutrition, 1935) is taken as the standard, and the various possible ways of attaining this goal by substituting locally available foods are discussed.

ROSEDALE - SCOTT MacGREGOR • 17 The nutritive value of rice J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1939, 3, 213-227 A comparison is given of the chemical analysis of husked rice (rice obtained by the removal of the fibrous outer coat of the padi, without any polishing) and polished rice in terms of proximate principles, CI, P2O5, CaO, Mg, Na, K 2 0, SO4, Fe, Cu, Mu, and I. The superiority of husked rice over polished rice is discussed from the standpoint of practical human nutrition. The results obtained in rat-growth experiments proved that husked rice excels polished rice in physiological value. and

j n . Milsum Malay leaf and other vegetables and their analyses General series, Dept. of Agric., Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States, 1940, No. 31. 21 pp. Analyses are given for the moisture, ash, protein, fibre, carbohydrate, calories, CaO, Mg, P2O5, Fe, vitamin C, and vitamin A contents of 62 Malayan vegetables. The scientific and Malay names are given, together with a short description of each plant and its method of preparation for consumption. Scott MacGregor, R. G. and G. L. Loh The comparison of basal physiological values in racial groups. I. Metabolism, pulse rate and blood pressure J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 217-260 The B.M.R., pulse rate, and blood pressure are determined in 309 subjects living in Singapore, consisting of 70 Europeans, 50 Chinese, 50 Malays, 19 Javanese, 11 Bataks, 50 Sikhs, 9 Punjabis, and 50 Tamils. The average B.M.R. found in every race group is below the AubDuBois standard. The race groups can be divided into two classes according to the degree of depression of the B.M.R. from the Aub-DuBois standard. One class consists of the Javanese, Europeans, Bataks, and Sikhs whose B.M.R. is approximately 5% below the Aub-DuBois standard and the other of the Chinese, Malays, Punjabis, and Tamils, whose B.M.R. is approximately 10% below the Aub-DuBois standard. The difference in B.M.R.

18 • SCOTT MacGREGOR - TRATMAN between these two classes is statistically significant. No significant difference was found between the average values for pulse rate or blood pressure among the various groups. Simpson, I. A. Studies in vitamin Bj. I. The concentration of vitamin Bi from rice polishings Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1931, No. 2. 10 pp. Details are described for the concentration of vitamin Bi from rice polishings by the method of Jansen and Donath. About half a gram of a semi-crystalline r e s i due was obtained from approximately 180 kg. of rice polishings. Curative tests showed that the average pigeon curative "day-dose" was 0.01 mg. of this preparation. Studies in vitamin Bj. n. The "oxyzatoxin" theory Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1934, No. 1. 22 pp. Describes experiments with pigeons which failed to confirm the claims of Teru-Uchi as to the existence of a toxin in rice (oxyzatoxin) that is capable of producing avian polyneuritis. The. intra-muscular injection of "oxyzatoxin emulsion" prepared from white polished rice produced deleterious effects, which prove fatal if the injections are continued. The principal effect of such injections is to cause pronounced hemolysis. The pigeons thus injected showed no clinical or post-mortem signs of polyneuritis or beriberi columbarum. The carotene content of Malayan palm oil Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1936, No. 1. 14 pp. Four grades of Malayan palm oil, obtained from fruits varying in degree of ripeness, were assayed for carotene content by rat-growth tests and the Lovibond tintometer. The results indicated that oil of low acidity

S C O T T M a c G R E G O K - T R A T M A N • 19 from fully ripened fruit is richest in carotene. A method is also described for the extraction of carotene from palm oil. In one experiment a yield of 155 mg. of crude carotene was obtained from 1,000 cc. of palm oil. Recent work on vitamins and hormones Malayan Med. J., 1936, 11, 1-5 This lecture deals with the recent advances in the chemistry of vitamin A and D and the sex hormones. The chemical relationships between certain carcinogenic substances and the sterols are also discussed. The antineuritic value of parboiled rice; a comparison with undermilled raw rice Bull. Inst. Med. Res., Federated Malay States, 1939, No. 4. 15 pp.

The antineuritic value of various samples of overmilled and undermilled rice (both parboiled and raw) was determined by rat-growth tests. It was found that parboiled rice, whether overmilled or undermilled, compared very favorably with undermilled raw rice in antineuritic potency. A method of parboiling rice as carried out in a Chinese-owned mill in Kedah was described. Tratman, E. K. Note on the dental condition of entrants to the King Edward VII College of Medicine Malayan Med. J., 1935, 10, 16 An examination of the dental condition of all the new entrants into the College in June, 1934, was carried out. Not taking into consideration dental caries already treated, the results revealed that 92.1% of the 42 students showed evidence of active dental caries in 221 out of a total of 1142 teeth examined; i.e., 23.9% of the teeth had active caries. Endemic fluorosis in India as detected by the examination of immigrants to Malaya

20 • TRATMAN - WILLIAMS J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 108-109 Definite evidence of the condition of mottled enamel has been observed in a number of Indian immigrants who receive treatment at the dental clinic at the General Hospital, Singapore. It appears certain that endemic fluorosis exists in certain areas in the Punjab, in the Central Provinces, and near Nagapatam in the Madras Presidency. Mottled enamel as evidence of endemic fluorosis in the Sabak area of the Sg. Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Selangor J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 181-183 A mild condition of mottled enamel was observed in some adults from the Sabak area of Kuala Selangor. It is considered that the most probable source of the fluorine is the water supply. Dental conditions in Malaya J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1940, 4, 184-190 Certain generalizations are made, based on the numerous observations of the author. The Chinese have the highest incidence of dental caries and the Indians lowest, with the Malays in an intermediate position. Indians have the highest incidence of paradontal disease (pyorreha) while the Chinese have the lowest, with the Malays again occupying about a middle position. In certain coastal areas of Malaya, gum conditions are generally worse than elsewhere. Many Chinese, particularly young children, show susceptibility to infected and inflammatory gum conditions, which is almost certainly due to the lack of vitamin C. The theories of the causes of caries and paradontal disease are discussed. Viswalingam, A. Keratomalacia Malayan Med. J., 1928, 3, 84-86 An illustrated address dealing with the incidence, etiology, general signs and symptoms, treatment, and prophylaxis of keratomalacia. This disease was frequently

TRATMAN - WILLIAMS • 21 found among ill-nourished children of Indian laborers employed on the plantations and on road and railway construction. Food and disease in Malaya Malayan Med. J., 1929, 4, 65-69 An article dealing with the author's general observations on the differences and peculiarities of the diets of the Malay, Indian, and Chinese races in this country. It is believed that the diets of the Malays and the Indians possess a fair amount of vitamins B and C, and vitamin A to a less degree, while the diets of the Chinese laborer appear to be deficient in these vitamins. On the whole, the diets of these three races contain an excess of c a r bohydrate with too little protein, minerals, and vitamins. Observations on pellagra and keratomalacia Malayan Med. J., 1929, 4, 97-103 In this lecture, the symptomatology, morbid anatomy, diagnosis, and etiology of pellagra are discussed. This disease has been met with sporadically among Chinese field laborers whose diet consists largely of carbohydrate with little of the protective foods. Keratomalacia and night blindness are usually confined to the Indian community. Marked improvement was observed by placing the patients on a diet of fresh milk, eggs, fruits, cod liver oil, and P a r r i s h ' s food. Wiilliams, C. H. The health of Indian estate school children Malayan Med. J., 1934, 9, 154-160 A study of the heights and weights of 1,503 Indian school children (age 4 to 14) in the lower Perak district of Malaya. It is concluded that Indian boys compare unfavorably in weight with English, Malay, and Chinese boys. Up to the age of 10, Indian boys are similar to English boys in height, but they fall behind after that age. Indian girls compare unfavorably with English girls in weight, but they compare very favorably in height up to

22 • WILLIAMS - WI1LIMOTT the age of 10. The nutrition quotient (weight in pounds x 100 4- height in inches) of Indian boys and girls is lower than that of other races. A short note on the average weights and heights of Malay school children in the state of Negri Sembilan, F.M.S. J. Malaya Branch, Brit. Med. Assoc., 1938, 1, 350-354 The average heights and weights at different ages of 4,013 Malay boys and 1,204 Malay girls attending the vernacular schools in the state of Negri Sembilan are recorded. Williamson, A. D. Keratomalacia Med. J. Malaya, 1948, 3, 68-69 Several cases of keratomalacia were presented at a clinical meeting of the Malaya Branch of the British Medical Association. Keratomalacia was common prior to the war but disappeared to a great extent during the Japanese occupation, when sweetened condensed milk became unavailable and mothers had to adopt breastfeeding. When sweetened condensed milk was again available after the war, it was noted that the incidence of keratomalacia began to increase again. and P. C. Leong Keratomalacia in Singapore and its relation to vitamin A in milk Med. J. Malaya, 1949, 4, 83-95 Most of the cases of keratomalacia found in Singapore gave the history of almost exclusive feeding on sweetened condensed milk. The vitamin A content of various types of milk that are used in infant feeding was assayed by the SbCl3 reaction using a photoelectric colorimeter. Tlie vitamin A content ranged from 384-1,090 I.U. per 100 g. in different brands of whole milk powders, 144442 in full cream sweetened condensed milks, 128-355 in full cream unsweetene'd condensed milks, and 113-167 in fresh cow's milk. The vitamin A requirement of in-

WILLIAMS - WILLIMOTT • 23 fants and the extent to which the various types of milk can contribute towards this requirement are discussed. Willimott, Stanely G. Malayan food composition table Scientific series, Dept. of Agriculture, Federation of Malaya, 1949, No. 23. 34 pp. A table giving the composition of 195 items of foodstuffs of Malaya, both locally produced and imported. Data on a few items of Japanese foods, collected by the author while a prisoner of war in Japanese camps are also included. The values for 11 nutrients a r e given, viz., protein, fat, total carbohydrate, Ca, P, Fe, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid.