An investigation of factors governing potato-starch refection in rats

Abstract

No accepted or acceptable explanation of the phenomenon has yet been put forward. It has been suggested by the various authors and particularly by Fridericiaet al.(1927) that bacterial synthesis of vitamin B in the intestine of the rat may be the explanation of the condition. Schieblich & Rodenkirchen (1929) have described a “vibrio-like” organism which they claim to be responsible for refection, but this finding has so far not been confirmed. In a recent dissertation on refection Nathan (1935) believes that the explanation is coupled with the nature of the starch in the diet rather than with an infection with a specific type of organism.