|Daily average from | | | | | | | Oct. 26, 1903 | 833 | 1018 | 7.43 | 0.516 | 1.28 | +-------------------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ 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. _Tuesday, February 9, 1904._ Breakfast.—Bread 22 grams, tea 146 grams.