It is the purpose of this paper to present, in rather broad outlines, the part which mineral salts play in carrying on the physiologic functions of the body, and in what manner they contribute to the various pathologic processes to which the infant and young child are subjected.
This field of metabolic research has been the last to be undertaken, and just now we are coming to realize its vast importance, not only in connection with their own functions, but in connection with the influence they have on the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate. The chief reason for having failed to realize the importance of the mineral salts in metabolism is that it has long been thought that the salts contributed in no way to the nourishment of the child. It has been only recently that they have taken their rightful place as indirect energy producers.
HISTORICAL
The first