NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
113
Diet III.
BATCH Y.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
mung dal.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Five prisoners, Beharis
9,070
49.01
120.4
20.40
34.59
27.75
2.36
8,600
49.48
120.4
20.40
34.59
27.75
2.36
10,150
48.74
120.4
20.40
34.59
27.75
2.36
11,120
44.21
120.6
20.40
34.59
27.75
2.36
8,400
47.21
120.4
20.40
34.59
27.75
2.36
Diet IV.
BATCH Z.
9,730
45.63
125.4
17.00
34.59
27.75
2.36
9,160
45.14
125.4
17.00
34.59
27.75
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis
9,730
43.88
125.4
17.00
34.59
27.75
2.36
10,300
45.23
125.5
17.00
34.59
27.75
2.36
8,800
42.87
125.4
17.00
34.59
27.75
2.36
Diet V.
BATCH Y .
8,710
44.32
120.6
13.60
34. 59
27.75
2.36
8,000
42.22
120.7
13.60
34.59
27.75
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis
8,400
43.86
120.6
13.60
34.59
27.75
2.36
8,460
46.42
120.6
13.60
34.59
27.75
2.36
9,210
44. 41
125.0
13.60
34.59
27.75
2.36
What do we learn from the series regarding the amount of nitrogen under-
going metabolism ?
Diet I.
I n t a k e —
Output
—
N. of Burma rice .
. 119.00 grms.
N. of urine .
.
.
.
227.35 grms.
N. of mung dal
.
. 172.95 „
.5 grm. N. constant
.
.
12.50 „
N. of wheat ata .
. 138.75 „
N. of vegetables .
.
11.80
„
Total N. metabolism
.
.
239.85 „
= 53.97 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake .
442.50
„
=
9.59 grms. of N. per day per man.
Q
114
Diet II.
Intake—
O u t p u t —
N. of Burma rice
.
106. 53 grms.
N. of urine
. .
.
233.13 grms.
N. of mung dal
.
172. 95 „
.5 grm. N. constant .
.
12.50 „
N. of wheat Ata
.
138.75 „
N. of vegetables
.
11.80
„
Total N. metabolism
.
.
245. 63 „
= 57. 12 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake .
.
430. 03
„
= 9.82 grms. N. per day per man.
Diet III.
Intake—
Output
—
N. of Burma rice
. 102. 00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
238. 65
grms.
N. of mung dal
.
172. 95 „
.5 grm. N. constant
.
.
12. 50
„
N. of wheat ata
.
138. 75 „
N. of vegetables
.
11.80
„
Total N. metabolism
.
.
251.15
„
= 59. 02 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake .
.
425. 50 „
= 10.05 grms. N. per day per man.
Diet IV.
Intake—
Output—
N. of Burma rice
.
85. 00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
222.75 grms.
N. of mung dal
.
172. 95 „
.5 grm. N. constant .
.
12.50 „
N. of wheat at
.
138. 75 „
N. of vegetables
.
11 . 80 „
Total N. metabolism
.
.
235. 25
„
= 57.58 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake .
.
408. 50
„
=
9.41 grms. N. per day per man.
Diet V.
Intake—
Output
—
N. of Burma rice
.
68.00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 221.23 grms.
N. of mung dal
.
172. 95 „
.5 grm. N. constant .
.
12.50
„
N. of wheat ata
.
138. 75 „
N. of vegetables
.
11.80 „
Total N. metabolism
.
.
233 . 73
„
= 59 . 67 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake .
.
391.50 „
= 9.35 grms. of N. per day per man.
From the results obtained we get the following :—
PER MAN.
Constants of diets.
Varying amounts
of rice.
Diet of
scheme.
Degree of N.
metabolism
per man daily.
+
Burma rice 14 ozs. Diet I
9.57 grms.
Wheat ata 10 ozs
„
„
12. 6 „
Diet II
9.82 „
Mung
dal
6
„
„ „
12
„
Diet III
10.05
„
Vegetables 6 „
„ „
10
„
Diet IV
9.41
„ „ „
8
„
Diet V
9.35 „
The interpretation of these results is easy ; their meaning is that with a diet
of the Behari type, consisting of 10 ozs. wheat ata, 6 ozs. mung dal and 6 ozs. vege-
tables, by gradually increasing the amount of the varying constituent—rice
— f r o m
8 ozs. upwards, we arrive at a certain quantity from which the protein ab-
sorption from the diet containing it is at a maximum. This amount is the
optimum for that particular combination of the quantities of the several food
115
materials entering into the diet, and with the constants made use of in this series
we find that the optimum amount of Burma rice is 12 ozs. per man daily. We
saw in section (2) that 12 ozs. daily was about the maximum amount of Burma
rice that a prisoner was able to consume ; so that, when given a free choice,
the prisoner eats that quantity of Burma rice from which he is able to derive
the maximum advantage.
By plotting out these figures we obtain a graphic record of the varying de
-grees of nitrogenous metabolism on diets containing different quantities of
Burma rice when the other components are constant. This is shown on
Chart III.
(ii) Investigations to determine the different degrees of nitrogenous metabolism
on diets composed of Burma rice, wheat ata, mung dal and vegetables. All constituents,
except the wheat ata of the diets, remaining constant.
TABLE XII.
SCHEME OF DIET S.
CONSTANTS.
Burma rice .
. 60 ozs.
+
Wheat ata
60 ozs.
Diet I.
Mung dal
.
. 30
„
„
„
50
„
Diet II.
Vegetables
.
. 30
„
„
„
40
„
Diet III.
„
„
30 „
Diet IV.
Diet I.
Five Behari prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH R.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine. Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
mung
dal.
N. of
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Five prisoners, Beharis
7,600
46.48
119.8
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
9,230
47.16
119.7
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
10,230
49.98
119.8
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
10,800
46.45
119.8
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
8,000
43.23
119.8
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
Different men—same Diet I.
BATCH X.
Five prisoners, Beharis
10,050
43.28
108.6
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
10,220
46.35
108.4
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
9,800
43.53
108.6
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
9,920
48.69
108.4
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
8,540
45.44
108.6
20.40
33.30
34.59
2.36
Q 2
116
Diet II
BATCH R.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
mung
dal.
N. of
vege-
tables.
Five prisoners, Beharis
C. C.
9,070
Grms.
49.01
Lbs.
120.4
Grms.
20.40
Grms.
27.75
Grms.
34.59
Grms.
2.36
8,600
49.48
..
20.40
27.75
34.59
2.36
10,150
48.74
..
20.40
27.75
34.59
2.36
11,120
44.21
..
20.40
27.75
34.59
2.36
8,400
47.21
120.4
20.40
27.75
34.59
2.36
Diet III.
BATCH Y.
7,030
45.86
125.5
20.40
22.90
34.59
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis.
7,350
49.38
125.3
20.40
22.20
34.59
2.36
8,610
53.02
125.2
20.40
22.20
34.59
2.36
9,670
48.72
125.4
20.40
22.20
34.59
2.36
8,210
42.64
125.5
20.40
22.20
34.59
2.36
Diet IV.
BATCH Z.
8,500
12.69
119.8
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis.
7,800
43.57
..
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
8,360
43.59
120
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
8,900
43.98
..
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
9,560
45.67
119.8
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
BATCH X.
Different men—same diet=Diet IV.
Five prisoners, Beharis.
11,160
43.82
107.5
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
10,200
44. 41
..
20.40
16.65
31.59
2.36
11,500
45.07
..
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
10,300
42.97
107.6
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
L 10,440
42.82
107.5
20.40
16.65
34.59
2.36
117
What do we learn from this series of investigations regarding the different
degrees of nitrogenous metabolism ?
Diet I.
Total intake of N. for the ten
days of the two batches R and
X
. . . . . 9 0 6 . 5 0 g r m s .
Total output of N. in urine
for the ten days of the two
batches R and X .
.460.59grms
.
25.00 „
Total N. metabolism . 4 8 5 . 5 9 g r m s .
=53.56 per cent. of N. of diet,
=9.71 grms. N. per man daily.
D i e t I I .
Total intake of N.
. . . 4 2 5 . 5 0 g r m s . Total output (see Table XI, Diet III).
Total N. metabolism . 251.15 grms.
=59.02 per cent. of N. of diet,
=10.05 grms. N. per man daily.
D i e t I I I .
Total intake of N.
.
. . 3 9 7 . 7 5 g r m s .
Total output—
N. of urine . . 239.63 grms.
5 grm. N. constant . 12.50 „
Total N. of metabolism . 252.13 grms.
=63.38 per cent. of N. of diet,
=10.08 grms. N. per man daily.
D i e t I V .
Total intake of N. for the ten
days of the two batches R
and X . . . . . 7 4 0 . 0 0 g r m s .
Total output of N. in urine
f o r t h e t e n d a y s o f t h e 4 3 8 . 5 9 g r m s .
two batches R and 25.00 „
Total N. metabolism 463.59 grms.
=62.64 per cent. of N. of diet,
=9.27 grms. N. per man daily.
From these investigations we get the following results:—
P E R M A N .
Constants of Diets.
Varying amounts of
wheat ata.
Diet of
scheme.
Amount of N
. metabolis
m p e r m a n d a i l y .
+
Wheat ata 12ozs.
Diet I.
9.71 grms.
Burma rice
12 ozs.
,,
,, 10
Diet II.
10.05 „
Mung dal
6„
,,
8 ,,
Diet III.
10.08 „
Vegetables
6 „
,,
,,
6 „
Diet IV.
9.27 „
118
The maximum protein absorption would therefore appear to occur with a
diet containing something between 10 and 8 ozs. of wheat ata per man daily—the
other constituents remaining constant as in scheme. We may accept it that the
optimum amount of wheat ata is 9 ozs. as from the very nearly identical results
obtained with 10 ozs. and 8 ozs. respectively the intermediate figure would be the
optimum. This corresponds fairly well with what was found in a similar set of
experiments on prisoners in Bhagalpur jail, when country rice and arhar dal were
given instead of Burma rice and mung dal—the optimum amount there being
about 10 ozs. of wheat ata per man daily.
By plotting out these figures we obtain a curve representing the degrees of
protein metabolism for different amounts of wheat ata in the diets when the
other constituents remain constant—see Chart IV.
By plotting on the same chart the curves obtained for the protein absorption
of prisoners in the Bhagalpur jail and in Buxar jail we again find that the Buxar
curve is on a lower level than that of Bhagalpur, see Charts IX and XIII. As
already mentioned this may be due to the higher degree of absorbability of the
protein of country rice or the protein of arhar dal or both ; whatever may have
been the cause it was very evident, while work was going on in these two Behar
jails, that the health of the prisoners in Bhagalpur jail was much better than in
Buxar jail.
We met with no difficulty at all in Bhagalpur, and no repetition of any of
the diets was found necessary : but, in Buxar several repetitions were required on
account of some one of the batch that was the subject of experiment going sick,
getting fever, diarrhœa and even dysentery ; and, what was even more annoying,
undergoing large variations in weight. On account of these and other factors
we had to reject many sets of observations in Buxar, due almost entirely to
the defective health conditions of the jail ; while in Bhagalpur, where the
prisoners were a very healthy lot, we had no trouble and did not have to reject a
single observation.
(a) Buxar Jail.
TABLE XIII.
(iii) Investigations to make certain that the degree of nitrogenous metabolism
from a diet containing 60 ozs. of wheat ata, 60 ozs. of Burma rice, 30 ozs. of dal and
30 ozs. of vegetables, shown in Table XII, Diet I, was correct and that changing the
kind of dal did not make much difference.
Batches of five Behari prisoners were put on the above diets—the dals made
use of being mattar, gram and arhar dals furnishing almost identical quantities.
of nitrogen.
119
Five Behari prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH O.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
urine.
Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Five prisoners, Beharis
6,710
46.21
115.8
20.40
30.72
33.30
2.36
6,830
42.73
115.8
20.40
30.72
33.30
2.36
6,300
44.71
116.0
20.40
30.72
33.30
2.36
5,850
47.82
115.9
20.40
30.72
33.30
2.36
5,870
50.28
115.8
20.40
30.72
33.30
2.36
BATCH P.
N. of
Gram dal.
Five prisoners, Beharis
8,240
45.73
116.3
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
8,500
44.44
116.4
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
10,040
45.54
116.2
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
7,300
48.87
116.2
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
8,800
46.24
116.3
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
BATCH O.
N. of
Arhar dal.
Five prisoners, Beharis
7,500
46.84
115.6
20.40
30.05
33.30
2.36
6,250
42.30
115.6
18.72
30.05
33.30
2.36
6,960
42.09
115.8
19.13
30.05
33.30
2.36
7,950
45.83
115.6
18.79
30.05
33.30
2.36
7,650
51.11
115.6
18.60
30.05
33.30
2.36
By working these figures out we get
:—
BATCH O ON MATTAR DAL.
Total N. intake .
.
.
433.90 grms.
Total N. metabolism
. 244.25 grms.
= 56.29 per cent. of N. of diet,
= 9.77 grms. of N. per man daily.
BATCH P. ON GRAM DAL.
Total N. intake .
.
.
430.55 grms.
Total N. metabolism
. 243.32 grms.
= 56.51 per cent. of N. of diet,
= 9.73 grms. N. per day per man.
BATCH O ON ARHAR DAL.
Total N. of intake
.
.
424.25 grms.
Total N. metabolism
. 240.67 grms.
=56.50 per cent. of N. of diet,
= 9.62 grms. N. per day per man.
120
We therefore have very closely similar results for the amount of nitrogenous
metabolism in the four diets given, viz . :—
Burma rice
12 ozs
Mung dal 6.65 grms. N. =9.71 grms. N. per day.
Wheat ata
12 ”
+ Mattar ” 6.14 ”
” =9.77 ”
N.
” ”
Vegetables
6 ”
Gram
” 6.01
”
” =9.73 ”
N. ”
”
Arhar „ 6.01
”
” =9.62 ”
N. ”
”
The last diet which contained arhar dal gives a slightly lower figure but the
whole of the rice was not eaten which may account for the different result.
These results show conclusively that with 12 ozs. of wheat ata, the amount of
nitrogen absorbed is about 9.7 grms. per man daily, which quantity we have
shown to be lower than that absorbed when only 10 ozs. of wheat ata are given
daily, the other constituents of the dietaries being similar.
Further, they make it probable that an increase in the amount of protein offer-
ed in the form of dal is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the amount
of protein undergoing metabolism, i.e. , when the amount of protein in the diet is
already high.
Thus from the investigations in this series we have :—
Absorbed per man daily.
Batch R and X, Diet I, Total N. of intake = 906.50 grms.
9.71 grms. N.
N. of Mung dal
=345.90
”
Batch 0, Diet I, Total N. of intake
=433.90 ”
9.77
”
”
N. of mattar dal
=153.60 ”
Batch P, Diet I, Total N. of intake
=430.55 ”
9.73
”
”
N. of gram dal
=150.25 ”
Batch O, Diet I, Total N. of intake
= 424.25
”
9.63
” ”
N . o f
a r h a r d a l
= 150 .25
this means that we get a practically uniform level of nitrogenous meta-
bolism with diets that vary in the amount of their nitrogen intake per man per
day from—
18.13 grms. to 17.36 grms. to 17.22 grms. to 16.97 grms.
This bears out what we have already deduced from the results obtained in
all the different investigations, viz., that, in diets of the type given in Bengal or
Behar jails, it is useless to increase the amount of protein of the diet by an
increase in the quantity of the cereals of which the diet is composed. Instead
of an increase beyond the optimum quantity producing a higher level of protein
metabolism it has an exactly opposite effect.
Summary of the results of these investigations.
In section (I) we give the average value of the Behari jail diet in proximate
principles.
121
In section (II) the average level of nitrogen metabolism for prisoners on the
full Behari diet in Bhagalpur jail and on less than the full diet in Buxar jail will
be found.
Under this section we pointed out that it was impossible to get the full ration
of Burma rice consumed ; and that, when left to themselves, prisoners will eat
about 12 ozs. of Burma rice per day in combination with 10 ozs. of wheat ata,
6 ozs. of dal and 6 ozs. of vegetables.
In section (III) we showed that this combination was an optimum, i.e., that
from which a maximum protein absorption takes place.
Having found that 12 ozs. per day was the optimum amount of Burma rice,
we made use of this as a constant, and worked out the effects of varying the amount
of wheat ata in the diets. From the results obtained it would appear that a quan-
tity of (about) 9 ozs. of wheat ata is the optimum amount, when given in combina-
tion with 12 ozs. of Burma rice, 6 ozs. of dal and 6 ozs. of vegetables.
We also showed that very similar results as regards nitrogenous meta-
bolism were obtained when mung, arhar, mottar or gram dals were given in equal
quantities, and that the greater percentage of nitrogen present in mung dal did not
increase the amount of protein absorption.
We now pass to the observations made on similar lines when makkai ata was
substituted for wheat ata in the Behari diets. Makkai ata is given in the cold
weather only ; as it does not keep well, it is impossible to use it the whole year
round. Reference to Table IX will show that the value of this diet in proximate
principles, while practically the same as that of the wheat diet in protein, is
superior in both carbohydrate and fat. It presents, therefore, all the defects of
an entirely vegetable diet, with the further disadvantage that the makkai ata can
not be baked into bread, and for this reason has to be given in thick hard masses
of little or no cohesion. The absorption of protein from diets containing makkai
is on the whole on a lower level than when wheat ata is made use of, but the
percentage absorption does not differ very markedly.
(iv) Investigation to determine the different degrees of nitrogenous metabolism
on diets composed of Burma rice, makkai ata, mung dal and vegetables—all consti-
tuents of the diets, except the Burma rice, remaining constant in quantity.
TABLE XIV.
Constants.
Burma rice .
. 70 ozs. = Diet I.
Makkai ata
.
. 50 ozs.
”
” .
. 60 ” = Diet II.
Mung dal .
.
. 30 „
+
”
”
.
.
56 ”
= Diet III.
Vegetables
.
. 30 ”
”
”
.
. 50 ” = Diet IV.
”
” .
. 40 ” = Diet V.
R
122
Diet I.
Five Behari prisoners observed over five consecutive days.
BATCH S.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine. Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
makkai
ata.
N. of
mung
dal.
N. of
vege-
tables.
Five prisoners, Beharis
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
9,510
40.87
117.3
23.80
22.05
34.59
2.36
10,340
39.22
117.4
23.80
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,340
36.93
117.4
23.80
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,150
32.92
117.3
23.80
22.05
34.59
2.36
7,510
36.53
117.3
1 2 3 . 8 0
22.05
34.59
2.36
Diet II.
BATCH P.
9,740
39.68
117.2
20.40
22.05
34.59
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis
12,300
40.03
117.4
2040
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,280
38.52
117.4
20.40
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,810
42.30
117.3
20.40
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,580
39.16
117.2
20.40
22.05
34.59
2.36
Diet III.
BATCH O.
7,700
39.56
115.4
19.19
22.05
34.59
2.36
Five prisoners ,Beharis
6,120
40.86
115.2
19.19
22.05
34.59
2.36
6.450
37.19
115.4
19.19
22.05
34.59
2.36
6,650
38.29
115.4
19.19
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,100
38.29
115.4
19.19
22.05
34.59
2.36
70 ozs. of Burma rice were offered in this diet, but on an average only 56 ozs. were eaten.
123
Diet IV.
BATCH P.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine. Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
makkai
ata.
N. of
mung
dal.
N . o
f
v e g e -
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Five prisoners, Beharis
10,420
39.31
117.4
17.00
22.05
34.59
2.36
8,150
37.89
..
17.00
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,240
37.24
117.4
17.00
22.05
34.59
2.36
10,310
37.52
..
17.00
22.05
34.59
2.36
8,660
35.02
117.4
17.00
22.05
34.59
2.36
Diet V.
BATCH Q.
Five prisoners, Beharis
8,540
38.25
124.4
13.60
22.05
34.59
2.36
8,880
34.18
124.6
13.60
22.05
34.59
2.36
9,130
36.93
124.4
13.60
22.05
34.59
2.36
10,370
35.64
124.4
13.60
22.05
34.59
2.36
8,720
35.64
124.4
13.60
22.05
34.59
2.36
What do we learn regarding the protein metabolism with these different
diets ?
Diet I.
Total intake of N.
. = 414.00 grms. T o t a l o u t p u t —
N. of urine .
.
.
. 166.47 grms.
.5 grm. N. constant
.
. 12.50 „
Total N. metabolism
. .
. 198.97 „
=48.06 per cent. of N. of diet,
= 7.96 grms. per man daily.
Diet II.
Total intake of N.
. =397.00 grms. Total output
—
N. of urine
. .
.
. 199.69 grms.
.5 grms. N. constant per day . 12.50 „
Total N. metabolism . . .
212.19 „
=53.45 per cent. of N. of diet,
= 8.48 grms. per man daily.
R 2
125
This again contrasts very markedly with the results obtained at Bhagalpur
where country rice was in use. There we had very little difficulty in getting the
whole 16 ozs. of rice eaten, but we did experience a certain amount of trouble with
the prisoners on makkai ata and rice, as the full diet of these substances is very
bulky and was consumed with difficulty.
As will be seen from the run of the figures of the nitrogenous metabolism ob-
tained at Bhagalpur and Buxar, we again get a lower level of protein metabolism
in Buxar, similar to that brought out by the curves of protein metabolism when
the wheat ata diets were in use. The curves of the protein metabolism with
wheat ata, dads and vegetables constant and the rice—country rice in Bhagalpur,
Burma rice in Buxar—varying, show on an average 0.4 grm. nitrogen in favour
of the Bhagalpur prisoners—see Chart IX; but the curves obtained now in the
case of the makkai diets are not so regular and show a greater difference in favour
of the Bhagalpur prisoners—over 1 grm. nitrogen per man daily this can only
be explained by the fact that the Bhagalpur prisoners were consuming the full
12 ozs. of makkai ata while the Buxar prisoners were on 10 ozs. per day. See
Chart XIa.
Although there are variations and irregularities in these curves when con-
trasted with those obtained from prisoners on the wheat diets, yet they show
distinctly that the maximum protein absorption is obtained from a diet in which
the amount of rice, whether Burma or country, is close to 12 ozs. per man per
day. Further, the investigations show that there is nothing to be gained, so far
as the nitrogenous metabolism of the prisoners is concerned, by increasing the
amount of rice in their diet beyond 12 ozs., for the only effect that a greater
quantity of rice can possibly have is so completely to distend the muscular wall
of the stomach that its motility is lessened; and, at the same time, the mere mass
of materials increases the difficulty with which the digestive juices meet in
penetrating the food-stuffs and in bringing about the changes necessary for
absorption to take place.
The results of this investigation we plot out in Chart. V.
(v) Investigations on the degrees of nitrogenous metabolism on diets composed of
Burma rice, makkai ata, mung dal and vegetables—all constituents of the diets, except
the makkai ata, remaining constant in quantity.
TABLE XV.
SCHEME OF DIETS.
CONSTANTS.
Burma rice.
. 60 ozs.
Makkai ata
.
. 50 ozs, Diet I.
Mung dal .
. 30 "
"
"
.
. 48 " Diet II.
Vegetables
. 30 "
"
"
.
. 40 " Diet III.
126
Diet I.
Five Behari prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH B.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine. Weight.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
mung
dal.
N. of
makkai
ata.
N. of
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Five prisoners, Beharis.
9,740
39.68
117.2
20.40
34.59
22.05
2.36
12,300
40.03
117.4
20.40
34.59
22.05
2.36
9,280
38.52
117.4
20.40
34.59
22.05
2.36
9,810
42.30
117.3
20.40
34.59
22.05
2.36
9,580
39.16
117.2
20.40
34.59
22.05
2.36
D i e t I I
BATCH O.
7,690
37.89
115.6
20.40
34.59
21.17
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis
8,590
40.82
115.8
20.40
34.59
21.17
2.36
6,900
41.3
..
20.40
34.59
21.17
2.36
6,400
38.43
..
20.40
34.59
21.17
2.36
7,030
38.58
115.6
20.40
34.59
21.17
2.36
This batch was offered 60 ozs. of makkai ata per day, but on an average only 48 ozs. were eaten.
Diet III.
BA T en 8.
9,560
35.75
117.2
20.40
34.59
17.64
2.36
Five prisoners, Beharis.
7,620
34.78
117.2
20.40
34.59
17.64
2.36
9,820
41.45
..
20.40
34.59
17.64
2.36
9,400
35.79
..
20.40
34.59
17.64
2.36
12,440
43.71
117.2
20.40
34.59
17.64
2.36