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Physiological Economy in Nutrition

by Russell H. Chittenden

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Wednesday, May 18, 1904

Breakfast.—Banana 92 grams, bread rolls 28 grams, cream 50 grams, coffee 150 grams, sugar 21 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 66 grams, soup 150 grams, farina 154 grams, sweet potato 123 grams, beans 70 grams, syrup 50 grams, coffee 150 grams, cream 50 grams, sugar 14 grams.

Dinner.—Bread 42 grams, consommé 100 grams, spinach 100 grams, mashed potato 250 grams, apple pie 97 grams, coffee 150 grams, cream 50 grams, sugar 21 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Banana92×0.23=0.212grams.
Bread rolls28×1.66=0.465
Cream50×0.46=0.230
Coffee150×0.066=0.099
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Bread66×1.60=1.056
Soup150×0.41=0.615
Farina154×1.09=1.678
Sweet Potato123×0.32=0.394
Beans70×0.34=0.238
Syrup50×0.024=0.012
Coffee150×0.057=0.086
Cream50×0.46=0.230
Sugar14×0.00=0.000
Bread42×1.80=0.756
Consommé100×0.38=0.380
Spinach100×0.53=0.530
Mashed potato250×0.38=0.950
Apple pie97×0.43=0.417
Coffee150×0.06=0.090
Cream50×0.46=0.230
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Total nitrogen in food8.668grams.
Total nitrogen in urine6.060

Fuel value of the food 2359 calories.

Thursday, May 19, 1904.

Breakfast.—Banana 102 grams, bread rolls 50 grams, coffee 150 grams, cream 50 grams, sugar 21 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 57 grams, egg omelette 20 grams, hominy 137 grams, syrup 68 grams, potatoes 128 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 50 grams.

Dinner.—Tomato purée 200 grams, bread 24 grams, fried sweet potato 100 grams, spinach 70 grams, Indian meal 100 grams, syrup 25 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 40 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Banana102×0.23=0.235grams.
Bread rolls50×1.54=0.770
Coffee150×0.06=0.090
Cream50×0.47=0.235
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Bread57×1.60=0.912
Egg Omelette20×1.58=0.316
Hominy137×0.20=0.274
Syrup68×0.024=0.016
Potatoes128×0.49=0.627
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Cream50×0.47=0.235
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Tomato purée200×0.53=1.060
Bread24×1.74=0.418
Sweet potato100×0.38=0.380
Spinach70×0.56=0.392
Indian meal100×0.20=0.200
Syrup25×0.024=0.006
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream40×0.47=0.188
Total nitrogen in food6.474grams.
Total nitrogen in urine7.170

Fuel value of the food 2072 calories.

Friday, May 20, 1904.

Breakfast.—Sliced orange 140 grams, coffee 100 grams, cream 30 grams, sugar 21 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 28 grams, mashed potato 250 grams, lima beans 40 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 30 grams, fried hominy 115 grams, syrup 48 grams.

Dinner.—Bread 19 grams, consommé 150 grams, string beans 140 grams, mashed potato 250 grams, rice croquette 93 grams, cranberry jam 95 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 30 grams, syrup 25 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Sliced orange140×0.20=0.280
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Cream30×0.44=0.132
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Bread28×1.71=0.479
Mashed potato250×0.30=0.750
Lima beans40×0.76=0.304
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream30×0.44=0.132
Fried hominy115×0.57=0.656
Syrup48×0.024=0.012
Bread19×1.97=0.374
Consommé150×0.59=0.885
String beans140×0.36=0.504
Mashed potato250×0.34=0.850
Rice croquettes93×1.06=0.986
Cranberry jam95×0.03=0.029
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream30×0.44=0.132
Syrup25×0.024=0.006
Total nitrogen in food6.691grams.
Total nitrogen in urine6.330

Fuel value of the food 1915 calories.

Saturday, May 21, 1904.

Breakfast.—Banana 153 grams, coffee 150 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 30 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 25 grams, potato croquette 229 grams, Indian meal 109 grams, tomato 123 grams, syrup 48 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 14 grams, cream 20 grams.

Dinner.—Bread 31 grams, bean soup 100 grams, fried potato 200 grams, bacon 5 grams, lettuce-orange salad 47 grams, prunes 137 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 25 grams, banana 255 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Banana153×0.23=0.352grams.
Coffee150×0.06=0.090
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream30×0.43=0.129
Bread25×1.82=0.455
Potato croquette229×0.71=1.626
Indian meal109×1.09=1.188
Tomato123×0.17=0.209
Syrup48×0.024=0.012
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar14×0.00=0.000
Cream20×0.43=0.086
Bread31×1.62=0.502
Bean soup100×1.21=1.210
Fried potato200×0.60=1.200
Bacon5×3.05=0.153
Lettuce-orange salad47×0.21=0.099
Prunes137×0.16=0.219
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream25×0.43=0.108
Banana255×0.23=0.587
Total nitrogen in food8.345grams.
Total nitrogen in urine6.780

Fuel value of the food 2485 calories.

Sunday, May 22, 1904.

Breakfast.—Banana 220 grams, orange 60 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 25 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 35 grams, potato 300 grams, fried rice 160 grams, syrup 63 grams, ice cream 84 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 14 grams.

Dinner.—Cream of celery soup 100 grams, bread 21 grams, mashed potato 250 grams, spinach 40 grams, French fried potato 100 grams, strawberry short-cake 120 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Banana220×0.23=0.506grams.
Orange60×0.20=0.120
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream25×0.45=0.113
Bread35×1.57=0.550
Potato300×0.30=0.900
Fried rice160×0.75=1.200
Syrup63×0.024=0.015
Ice cream84×0.53=0.445
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar14×0.00=0.000
Cream of celery soup100×0.33=0.330
Bread21×1.91=0.401
Mashed potato250×0.37=0.925
Spinach40×0.55=0.220
French fried potato100×0.57=0.570
Strawberry short-cake120×0.50=0.600
Total nitrogen in food7.015grams.
Total nitrogen in urine5.700

Fuel value of the food 2321 calories.

Monday, May 23, 1904.

Breakfast.—Banana 229 grams, coffee 125 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 25 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 58 grams, apple sauce 125 grams, scrambled egg 15 grams, consommé 75 grams, fried potato 170 grams, rice croquette 197 grams, syrup 68 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 30 grams.

Dinner.—Bread 72.5 grams, vegetable soup 100 grams, potato croquette 198 grams, bacon 7 grams, string beans 120 grams, water ice 77 grams, coffee 100 grams, cream 30 grams, sugar 14 grams, banana 270 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Banana229×0.23=0.527grams.
Coffee125×0.06=0.075
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream25×0.45=0.113
Bread58×1.63=0.945
Apple sauce125×0.02=0.025
Scrambled egg15×2.07=0.311
Consommé75×0.65=0.488
Fried potato170×0.60=1.020
Rice croquette197×0.61=1.202
Syrup68×0.024=0.016
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream30×0.45=0.135
Bread72.5×1.75=1.269
Soup100×0.70=0.700
Potato croquette198×0.77=1.525
Bacon7×3.28=0.230
String beans120×0.22=0.264
Water ice77×0.006=0.005
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Cream30×0.45=0.135
Sugar14×0.00=0.000
Banana270×0.23=0.621
Total nitrogen in food9.726grams.
Total nitrogen in urine5.750

Fuel value of the food 2756 calories.

Tuesday, May 24, 1904.

Breakfast.—Orange 100 grams, rolls 37 grams, rice 50 grams, syrup 25 grams, coffee 125 grams, sugar 21 grams, cream 50 grams.

Lunch.—Bread 77 grams, cream of celery soup 125 grams, mashed potato 270 grams, tomato sauce 50 grams, farina croquette 191 grams, syrup 78 grams, coffee 75 grams, cream 20 grams, sugar 7 grams.

Dinner.—Bread 49 grams, tomato soup 200 grams, French fried potato 200 grams, spinach 50 grams, farina croquette 276 grams, syrup 100 grams, coffee 100 grams, sugar 14 grams, cream 50 grams.

Food.Grams.Per cent Nitrogen.Total Nitrogen.
Orange100×0.20=0.200grams.
Bread rolls37×1.64=0.607
Rice50×0.36=0.180
Syrup25×0.024=0.006
Coffee125×0.06=0.075
Sugar21×0.00=0.000
Cream50×0.45=0.225
Bread77×1.66=1.278
Celery soup125×0.48=0.600
Mashed potato270×0.26=0.702
Tomato sauce50×0.23=0.115
Farina croquette191×0.74=1.413
Syrup78×0.024=0.019
Coffee75×0.06=0.045
Cream20×0.45=0.090
Sugar7×0.00=0.000
Bread49×1.82=0.892
Tomato soup200×0.19=0.380
French fried potato200×0.46=0.920
Spinach50×0.54=0.270
Farina croquette276×0.76=2.098
Syrup100×0.024=0.024
Coffee100×0.06=0.060
Sugar14×0.00=0.000
Cream50×0.45=0.225
Total nitrogen in food10.424grams.
Total nitrogen in urine6.390

Fuel value of the food 3229 calories.

NITROGEN BALANCE.—Mendel.

Nitrogen
Taken in.
Output.
Nitrogen in Urine.Weight of Fæces (dry).
May188.668grams.6.06grams.14grams.
196.4747.1739
206.6916.3330
218.3456.7883contain 6.06% N=5.03grm. N.
227.0155.70
239.7265.7538
2410.4246.3957
95contain 5.76% N=5.47grm. N.
10.50grm. N.
57.34344.18+10.50grams nitrogen.
57.343grams nitrogen.54.68grams nitrogen.
Nitrogen balance for seven days=+2.663grams.
Nitrogen balance per day=+0.380gram.

Average Intake.

Calories per day2448.
Nitrogen per day8.192 grams.

In this period of seven days the average daily intake of nitrogen was 8.192 grams, or only 0.36 gram per day more than in the first balance period, while the average fuel value of the food amounted to 2448 calories per day. Yet the average daily output of nitrogen through the urine for this period was 6.31 grams, or 1.2 grams per day less than in the first balance experiment. Further, under the conditions of this balance experiment, the body was laying up 0.380 gram of nitrogen per day, i. e., showing a plus balance of 2.66 grams of nitrogen for the seven days’ period. Again, it is to be noted that the average daily amount of nitrogen metabolized, 6.31 grams, was 0.22 gram less than the average daily nitrogen excretion for the entire seven months’ period, 6.53 grams. Evidently, this subject was quite able to maintain nitrogen equilibrium with a metabolism of only 6.31 grams of nitrogen per day, on a daily diet having a fuel value of about 2400 calories. Indeed, taking into account the amount of the plus nitrogen balance, it is evident that the daily food was somewhat in excess of the real requirements of the body, under the then existing conditions of body-weight and bodily activity.

Again, we would call attention to the thorough utilization of the food in this experiment, emphasizing at the same time the voluminous character of the diet, together with its largely vegetable nature. The contrast between the diet made use of by Dr. Mendel and that used by the subject of the first experiment is quite striking, since the latter employed a much more concentrated diet with an average fuel value of only 1600 calories. Yet with a total intake of 57.343 grams of nitrogen for the seven days of Dr. Mendel’s balance period, 10.5 grams only passed out through the rectum, or 18.3 per cent, while in the second nitrogen balance of the first subject, with the more concentrated diet, 17.1 per cent of the total ingested nitrogen appeared in the fæces. In view of the great divergence in the character and volume of the intake, it is rather remarkable there should be so little difference in the relative utilization of the two diets.

Finally, taking the average daily excretion of nitrogen through the kidneys from November 10 to June 23, as a measure of the nitrogen metabolized daily, viz., 6.53 grams, and taking the body-weight at 70 kilos, it is plain to see that the nitrogen metabolized per kilo of body-weight throughout this experiment was 0.093 gram, closely similar to the result obtained with the first subject. In other words, both of these subjects, though widely different in body-weight, under different degrees of physical activity, and living on different forms of diet, seemingly required for the maintenance of equilibrium essentially the same amount of nitrogen per kilo of body-weight; viz., with the first subject 0.0947 gram, if we take the lower figure of the last two months, and 0.093 gram with the second subject.

Regarding the fuel value of the daily food, Dr. Mendel with a body-weight of 70 kilos, during the second balance period, apparently utilized on an average 34.9 calories per kilo of body-weight daily, while the first subject, of 57 kilos body-weight, made use of only 28 calories per kilo. The fuel value of the daily food must, however, as is well known, vary greatly with differing degrees of physical activity, from which arises the necessity for corresponding variation in the amounts of non-nitrogenous foods ingested.


Dr. Frank P. Underhill, instructor in physiological chemistry in the Sheffield Scientific School, is another subject of experiment who volunteered to study on himself the effects of a lowered proteid intake. Prior to the experiment he was in the habit of eliminating from 16 to 16.5 grams of nitrogen per day through the kidneys, representing the usual 105 grams of proteid food metabolized.

Dr. Underhill, at the beginning of the experiment, July 1, 1903, was twenty-six years of age and weighed 67.6 kilos. For a period of two weeks, from July 14 to August 2, he gradually reduced the intake of proteid food as well as the total amount of food consumed, doing this in part by diminishing the quantity eaten at breakfast, and in smaller measure at the two other meals of the day. During this period of two weeks, the urine and fæces were analyzed with the results shown in the accompanying table. Regarding the extent of proteid metabolism, it will be seen that the nitrogen content of the urine fell from 14.28 grams per day down to 5 to 6 grams per day. Having reached this level, the subject maintained it throughout the summer of 1903, occasional analyses being made to demonstrate the level of nitrogen excretion.

Date.Body-
weight.
Urine.Fæces.Total
Nitrogen.
Volume.Sp. Gr.Nitrogen.Moist.Dry.Nitrogen.
1903.c.c.grams.grams.grams.grams.grams.
July1467.61300101814.28156.030.51.5915.8
1567.61095102011.7270.017.00.8012.52
1667.1860102111.72182.544.52.1213.84
1766.967510229.39134.043.02.0511.44
1866.3865102110.4557.520.00.9511.40
1965.7785102110.34170.041.01.9512.29
2065.7740102410.3476.035.01.6612.00
2165.7910101711.6196.032.01.5213.13
2265.790010139.5056.031.01.7511.25
2365.360010178.6541.014.00.799.35
2465.064010136.65151.033.01.868.51
2565.369010126.0186.029.01.637.64
2665.341010236.6557.019.01.067.71
2765.753010176.75202.033.01.868.61
2865.761010135.49155.026.01.466.95
2966.462010175.96121.026.01.467.42
3066.370010165.80233.048.02.718.51
3165.8126510106.70211.036.02.038.73
Aug.165.3124010096.23172.023.01.297.52
265.376010166.75214.027.01.428.17
1165.350010176.44152.022.01.347.78
1265.340510246.8670.015.00.917.77
1365.354010196.2390.010.00.616.84

In connection with the accompanying table of results, attention is called to the composition of the fæces with special reference to their content of nitrogen. The point to be emphasized is the gradual increase in the percentage content of fæcal nitrogen, associated with the changed diet and the general diminution of food intake. This is well illustrated by the following figures, giving the percentage of nitrogen in the dry fæces for the three periods of July 14-21, July 22-30, and August 11-13:

July 14-21,4.77percentNitrogen
July 22-30,5.65″″″
Aug. 11-13,6.11″″″

The diminished amount of fæcal discharge means naturally not only a smaller intake of food, but implies also a greater utilization of the food ingested, and as a result the increased percentage of nitrogen in the discharges shows itself because of the relatively larger preponderance of nitrogenous secretions from the intestinal tract.

The latter part of September, 1903, Dr. Underhill attempted to return to his original methods of living, but found difficulty in consuming the daily quantities of food he had formerly been in the habit of taking. From October 11 to October 25, 1903, however, he raised the consumption of proteid food to such a degree that the nitrogen excretion through the urine averaged from 10 to 12 grams per day. After this date he fell back to the lower proteid intake, and from that period to June 23, 1904, he maintained a low level of proteid metabolism without detriment to his bodily vigor, and, as he believes, with a distinct betterment.

The following tables of results extending from October 11, 1903, to June 23, 1904, show the data collected.

Underhill

Date.Body-weight.Urine.
Volume. 24 hours.Sp. Gr.Nitrogen.Uric Acid.P₂O₅.
1903kilosc.c.gramsgramgrams
Oct.1165.41300101510.370.6111.72
1270010229.07
131050102212.350.8202.15
141400101712.01
15870102011.480.6711.76
161165101312.09
17840102011.24
181150101710.000.6131.77
1967810227.79
201165101810.760.6031.60
211460101711.91
22950101910.710.6431.73
231165101712.82
2465.4850102512.49
25850102211.070.6451.76
2610251018⎫8.31
daily
average
0.465
daily
average
1.18
daily
average
277751018⎪
2811401015⎬
297651020⎪
308601019⎪
3111501015⎭
Nov.17501020⎫7.910.4691.30
26751022⎪
39551014⎪
412701012⎬
58851015⎪
67701020⎪
78601021⎭
87751020⎫7.860.5371.40
98901018⎪
1010701018⎪
117551020⎬
129501023⎪
1311001017⎪
149801015⎪
156301020⎭
1665.07001020⎫7.820.4671.49
1710001015⎪
189401018⎪
197701023⎬
207701025⎪
217901020⎪
227701021⎭
235901025⎫8.550.4761.67
277101024⎬
2810801017⎪
297601019⎭
308701018⎫7.720.5061.43
Dec.18601017⎪
211201015⎪
314501009⎬
47201019⎪
57201019⎪
65101027⎭
765.17001018⎫7.360.4741.44
86501018⎪
98601013⎪
109751020⎬
118001021⎪
128301018⎪
137501019⎭
148601018⎫8.110.4971.35
158701019⎪
168801015⎪
17820⎬
187601021⎪
198601017⎪
205201023⎭
2112001014⎫7.181.05
2265.05101025⎭
23650⎫6.700.3560.97
24670⎪
25500⎬
26550⎪
27850⎭
2865.2930⎫8.700.6261.21
291200⎪
30750⎪
311280⎬
Jan.1750⎪
2750⎪
3870⎪
41230⎭
57201023⎫8.230.5301.24
69601020⎪
77601022⎬
810001017⎪
97201025⎪
1065.17301021⎭
117001016⎫7.740.6181.20
126501020⎪
137001024⎪
146601025⎬
156101025⎪
167101024⎪
176601022⎭
187701016⎫7.800.7051.14
1964.87001022⎪
2011301018⎪
218301020⎬
226001019⎪
234801021⎪
247501019⎭
256801020⎫6.850.5001.07
268001018⎪
278001020⎪
287001020⎬
2964.410101014⎪
309801018⎪
318201015⎭
Feb.19901015⎫7.980.5351.24
26601020⎪
364.410601015⎪
49801017⎬
59701014⎪
67901019⎪
711201015⎭
871510218.11
964.4122510147.490.450
1064.477010186.140.505
1164.571510228.020.568
1285010218.820.539
1349010287.170.505
1464.479510207.730.543
157801021⎫8.270.558
169201023⎪
176601021⎪
186401027⎬
197301023⎪
208401027⎪
217001018⎭
224401025⎫7.470.556
236001023⎪
247501022⎪
258301017⎬
2664.08701021⎪
279101015⎪
289501014⎭
296001021⎫7.150.526
Mar.16801021⎪
211201011⎪
36401021⎬
410801016⎪
512201034⎪
68901015⎭
710001014⎫8.180.682
86501020⎪
97501020⎪
108501018⎬
119501014⎪
1210001016⎪
1364.28601019⎭
148401020⎫7.830.540
159201016⎪
167501020⎪
178201017⎬
1812201012⎪
199201015⎪
207001022⎭
219001015⎫8.040.733
229801013⎪
239901014⎪
247501020⎬
258201017⎪
267001021⎪
279101020⎭
289301017
309001020
31450⎫7.870.5301.44
Apr.1500⎪
2420⎪
3600⎪
4950⎪
5930⎬
6980⎪
7600⎪
8980⎪
9800⎪
10810⎭
1165.29401017⎫9.46⎫0.496
127101024⎬⎪
137501024⎭⎪
1474010207.55⎬
1559010246.51⎪
1690010167.51⎪
17129010095.11⎭
1865.259010175.96⎫0.527
1963010246.39⎪
2067010227.48⎪
2190010218.10⎬
2298010177.00⎪
2385010197.60⎪
2464010237.33⎭
2565.060010218.23⎫0.490
2661010145.82⎪
2760010237.27⎪
2897010157.05⎬
2979510175.91⎪
3070010216.80⎪
May179510165.72⎭
265.286010176.50⎫0.344
3112010166.92⎪
4109010156.54⎪
558010215.92⎬
670010207.29⎪
789510178.97⎪
880010167.30⎭
965.289510196.28⎫0.416
1085010196.27⎪
1196010197.26⎪
1269010226.29⎬
1399010177.96⎪
1469010227.21⎪
1590010156.15⎭
1665.194510145.10⎫0.364
17109010166.15⎪
1862010205.21⎪
19111010156.53⎪
2089510166.12⎬
2181010196.95⎪
22111010168.72⎪
2365.068510207.07⎪
2456010216.78⎭
25109010106.02⎫0.420
2661010175.97⎪
2779010166.83⎪
28110010147.65⎬
2965010216.12⎪
3065.063010215.21⎪
3166010185.07⎭
June165.192010145.96
265.180010135.81
365.095010147.30
479010156.78
578010208.28
665.189010156.89
772010175.87
895010155.93
9106010144.96
1094010175.92
11105010197.62
12100010176.66
1389010217.26
14134010166.91
15119010156.86
1672010257.99
1765.280010177.25
1882010186.99
1992010146.18
2089010156.03
2190010166.37
2276010186.79
2363010206.06
Daily average from Oct. 26, 190383310187.430.5161.28

It will be seen by a study of the analytical data that Dr. Underhill had an average daily excretion of nitrogen through the kidneys from October 26, 1903, to June 23, 1904, of 7.43 grams. From October 26 to April 13, a period of nearly six months, the average daily excretion was 7.81 grams of nitrogen, while from the latter date to June 23 the average daily excretion amounted to 6.68 grams of nitrogen. Taking the body-weight at 65 kilos, the lower nitrogen figure would mean a metabolism of 0.102 gram of nitrogen per kilo of body-weight, closely akin to the figures obtained with the two preceding subjects.

An excretion of 6.68 grams of nitrogen corresponds to the metabolism of 41.75 grams of proteid matter, while the excretion of 7.43 grams of nitrogen implies the metabolism of 46.4 grams of proteid, being less than one-half the ordinarily accepted requirement for the healthy adult.

During this long period of eight months the body-weight was stationary, carrying with it the assumption that the body was in a condition of nitrogen equilibrium. It should be emphasized in connection with Dr. Underhill’s case, that throughout the entire period of eight months, and more, there was perfect freedom in the choice of food. Further, it will be noticed by a study of the dietary made use of in the balance experiments that Dr. Underhill did not reduce his nitrogen intake by any exclusion of meat. He practically made use of his ordinary diet, such as he had always been accustomed to, but with a decided diminution of the amount of proteid food, accompanied by a gradual reduction in the total amount of food consumed each day. His diet, therefore, was in no sense a vegetable diet. Meat was conspicuous in his daily food, but naturally in reduced quantities.

On February 9 a nitrogen balance was attempted, in which a careful comparison of the nitrogen content of all intake and output was made for a period of six days. By a study of the results of this balance period, shown in the accompanying tables, it will be noticed that not only was there no deficiency of nitrogen, but the body was laying on nitrogen at the rate of 0.158 gram per day. Further, it will be observed that the fuel value of the food per day averaged only a little over 2000 calories. Yet this amount of food, with its comparatively low fuel value, carried with it only 8.83 grams of nitrogen per day. Upon this quantity of food the body was able to maintain itself, with a little nitrogen to spare and with sufficient fuel value in the food to supply all the energy required for muscular contraction, mental effort, and the maintenance of body temperature.

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