Beri-Beri and a Lack of Phosphorus

We may hope that research is at last coining near the secret of the origin o? beri-beri. It is known to our readers that Capt. E. D. W. Greig, I.MS., a very able investigator, is on special duty in Calcutta, inquiring into the origin and nature of the beri-beri or epidemic dropsy which has been prevalent for several years past in that city and in many other parts of Bengal. The question of the identity or otherwise of these two diseases will also, we expect, be settled by Capt. Greig's investigations. At present, however, we only propose to lay before our readers a resume of the work done* in the admirable Institute for Medical Research of the Federated Malay States. Dr. H. Fraser, the Director, and Dr. A. T. Stanton, the Bacteriologist of that Institute, have recently published a study, which is remarkable and in our opinion goes far to solve the mystery of beri-beri. The connection between beri-beri and rice has long been known and has been very frequently referred to in our columns. It was most