NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
53
lead us to suspect that 6 ozs. of dal per man daily is beyond the
amount from which the maximum absorption can take place.
(iv) The results stated in (ii) and (iii) do not justify the assumption that with
lesser amounts of rice and dal in the dietaries differences in the ab-
sorbability of the protein of these food-stuffs would not take place ;
or that the absorption from Burma rice and country rice would be
identical for different amounts of rice in the diet ; or that, if the
quantity of dal in the dietary were diminished, the same percentage
absorption would occur from the decreased amounts of the several
kinds of dal.
(C) RANCHI JAIL, CHOTA NAGPUR.
We now come to deal with an entirely different kind of people—the aboriginal
tribes of the Ranchi plateau. The hills around this district are from two to four
thousand feet above sea level, so that the inhabitants are very differently situated
with regard to climate, temperature, moisture, etc., from what obtains in Bengal
proper and Orissa. As is only to be expected also the physique and
general stamina, capabilities of work and muscular development is on a higher
level than found in Bengal or Orissa. The average size of the individuals of these
tribes is not great, but they are hard workers, compared with the Bengali or plain
men and very compactly built.
In Ranchi Jail we selected four healthy men from each of the principal tribes
for our investigation. All we attempted to do was to obtain the average protein
absorption from the diet in use in this jail, which was of the ordinary Lower Bengal
type, and to make enquiries regarding any differences in absorption exhibited by
the members of these tribes among themselves, or compared to that found for the
Bengali. As will be evident from the results marked differences do occur both as
regards the several tribes and compared with the Bengali or Ooriya. A study of
the causes of these differences is a problem of importance in the question of the co-
relation of the protein absorption and physical development and we have enlisted
the help of Major Maddox, I.M.S., Civil Surgeon of those hills, in collecting informa-
tion concerning any tribal characteristics that might throw light on this point. At
present, all we are concerned with is the average absorption shown by these men
when placed on the ordinary jail diet. The significance of these results will be
discussed later in the light of the report furnished by Major Maddox, and it will
be further dealt with when we come to examine the development and nitrogenous
metabolism of the hill tribes of Darjeeling and contrast them among themselves,
and with the people of the plains.
54
In the investigations regarding the protein metabolism on the ordinary jail diet
four healthy prisoners from four different tribes were selected, isolated and placed
on the diet for a few days before the collection of excreta commenced. Table IV
gives the results obtained.
TABLE IV.
Investigations to determine the degree of nitrogenous metabolism occurring on the jail
diet amongst representatives of the aboriginal tribes of Chota Nagpur.
Four men under observation for five consecutive days.
TRIBE.
Quantity
of urine. Reaction. Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
kalai dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
"PATER."
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
Four prisoners .
.
10,070
Acid.
34.96
32.08
24.77
1.96
113
7,980
„
39.10
32.08
24.77
1.96
112.6
9,510
„
37.01
32.08
24.77
1.96
113
11,000
„
35.11
32.08
24.77
1.96
113
12,770
„
31.56
32.08
24.77
1.96
113
Total intake of nitrogen—
Total output
—
N. of rice .
.
. 160.40 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 177.74 grms.
N. of kalai dal .
. 123.35 „
.5 grm. daily constant
.
10.00 „
N. of vegetables .
.
9.80 „
Total introgenous metabolism
.
1 8 7 . 7 4
„
Total nitrogen
.
. 293.05
„
= 6 4 . 0 6 p e r c e n t . o f t h e t o t a l n i t r o g e n o f t h e d i e t .
=9.38 grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
TRIBE.
Quantity.
of urine.
Reaction. Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
kalai dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
"MOONDA."
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
Four prisoners .
.
7,550
Acid.
34.66
32.08
24.77
1.96
106.6
9,230
„
34.50
32.08
24.77
1.96
106.5
7,630
„
30.71
32.08
24.77
1.96
106.6
8,460
„
29.96
32.08
24.77
1.96
106.6
10,310
„
29.73
32.08
24.77
1.96
106.6
Total intake of nitrogen =293.05 grms. Total output —
N. of urine
.
. . 159.56 grms.
.5 grm. daily
.
.
. 10.00 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism
169.56 „
= 57.86 per cent. of nitrogen of the diet.
= 8.48 grams. of nitrogen per man daily.
TRIBE.
Quantity
of urine. Reaction. Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
kalai dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
"SWANSI."
Four prisoners
.
4,900
Acid.
36.15
32.08
24.77
1.96
111.3
6,010
„
42.97
32.08
24.77
1.96
111.2
4,500
„
34.96
32.08
24.77
1.96
111.3
5,530
„
34.37
32.08
24.77
1.96
111.3
7,050
„
32.86
32.08
24.77
1 . 9 6 111.3
Total intake of nitrogen =293.05 grms. Total output —
N. of urine . .
. . 181.31 grms.
.5 grm. daily constant .
. 10.00 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism . 191.31 „
= 65.28 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
= 9.56 grms. nitrogen per man daily.
TRIBE.
Quantity
of urine. Reaction. Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
kalai dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
"URAON. "
Four prisoners .
. 6,100
Acid
26.47
32.08
24.77
1.96
109.9
4,230
„
25.83
32.08
24.77
1.96
109.8
4,960
„
29.78
32.08
24.77
1.96
109.9
5,000
„
30.73
32.08
24.77
1.96
110.0
7,260
„
31.30
32.08
24.77
1.96
110.0
56
Total intake of nitrogen
=293.05 grms.
T o t a l o u t p u t —
N. of urine
.
.
.
144.11 grms.
.5 grm. daily constant
.
10.00 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism 154.11 „
=52.58 per cent. of nitrogen of diet.
= 7.71 grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
The rice used in all these experiments was rice grown on the Ranchi plateau.
The analysis showed the proximate principles to be practically identical with
those obtained from country rice. it is said, however, to be much preferred by
the native tribes to any rice grown elsewhere.
What do we learn from this series of observations ?
With the same food materials identical in every particular we have got very
different degrees of nitrogenous metabolism among the representatives of the
tribes examined, and also great differences compared with the Bengali and
Ooriya.
The" Pater" tribesmen absorb 64.06 per cent. of the protein of their diet,
which means the metabolism of 9.38 grms. nitrogen or 58.62 grms. of protein per
man daily.
The" Moondas" absorb 57.86 per cent. of the total protein of their diet, which
means the metabolism of 8.48 grms. nitrogen or 52.90 grms. of protein per man
daily.
The" Swansi" tribesmen absorb 65.28 per cent. of the total protein of their
diet, which means the metabolism of 9.56 grms. nitrogen or 59.75 grms. of protein
per man daily.
The" Uraons" absorb 52.58 per cent. of the total protein of their diet, which
means the metabolism of 7.71 grms. nitrogen or 48.18 grms. of protein per man
daily.
Put in tabular form the contrast will be evident:—
TRIBE OR PEOPLE.
Per cent. of N.
No. of diet
absorbed.
Grms. of nitrogen
per day undergoing
metabolism.
Grammes of protein
per day undergoing
metabolism.
" Pater" and" Swansi" .
.
64.06 to 65.28
9.38 to 9.56
58.62 to 59.75
" Moonda" and" Uraon".
.
52.58 to 57.86
7.71 to 8.48
48.18 to 52.9
" Bengali" and" Ooriya" .
.
49.75 to 50.7
7.39 to 7.69
46.20 to 48.12
The absorption of protein and the degree of nitrogenous metabolism possible
from practically identical dietaries are markedly higher in the aboriginal tribes
" P a t e r " a n d " S w a n s i " t h a n i n t h e t w o o t h e r t r i b e s e x a m i n e d — " M o o n d a "
and" Uraon," or in the inhabitants of the plains of Bengal and Orissa.
57
SECTION 3.
3. The effect on nitrogenous metabolism of varying the quantities of
the components of the ordinary jail diet.
Having worked out the average amount of nitrogen absorbed from the ordinary
jail diet, the next step in our investigations was to vary the quantities of
the different materials forming the diet, and note the effect on the amount of
nitrogen undergoing metabolism. In describing this part of the work we shall
give the results of our investigations under three headings :
—
(a) The effect of varying the amount of rice in the diet when the other con-
stituents are kept constant in quantity.
(b) The effects of varying the amount of dal when the other constituents are
kept constant in quantity.
(c) The effects of varying the amounts of rice and dal when the total nitro-
gen of the diet is kept constant.
(a) The effect of varying the amount of rice in the diet, the remaining consti-
tuents being constant in quantity. —Ten prisoners on the full diet of Burma rice and
arhar dal observed for two consecutive days—see Table II (i)—absorbed 53.66 per
cent. of the total nitrogen of the diet, which is equal to the metabolism of 7.85 grms.
nitrogen per man daily.
This result—which is slightly higher than the average protein metabolism for
Bengalis and Ooriyas on the full jail diet—is to be contrasted with the follow-
ing in which the quantity of Burma rice is decreased, the other components
remaining constant.
TABLE V.
(i) Investigations on the degree of nitrogenous metabolism on the jail diet when
the amount of Burma rice is reduced from 26 ozs. to 19 ozs. per man daily, the
ordinary 6 ozs. of arhar dal being constant.
Five prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH A.
Quantity
of urine.
Reaction .
Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
arhar dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
FIVE PRISONERS.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
9,230
Acid.
40.38
31.30
28.90
2.36
115
One Hindu .
.
.
6,270
„
37.83
24.87
30.10
2.36
114.8
Four Mahomedans
.
8,420
„
39.37
31.30
29.40
2.36
114.6
7,450
„
39.00
30.80
30.10
2.36
115.1
8,150
„
42.77
31.30
30.10
2.36
115
I
58
Total N. of intake—
Total output—
N. of rice
.
.
.
149.57 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
199.35 grms.
N. of arhar dal
.
.
148.66 „
.5 grm. daily constant
12.50 „
N. of vegetables
.
.
11.80 „
Total N. metabolised
=211.85
„
Total N. of intake
.
. 310.03 „
=68.33 per cent. of total N. of diet.
= 8.47 arms. per man per day.
From this result we find that, under exactly the same conditions as regards food-
material, a reduction of the quantity of rice in the ordinary jail diet is at once
followed by a great increase in the percentage of nitrogen absorbed from the diet,
and, at the same time, by a large increase in the actual amount of protein under-
going metabolism. Thus
: —
Table II (i).—From 26 ozs. Burma rice and 6 ozs. arhar dal 7.85 grms
. nitrogen are absorbed, which is 53.66 per cent. of nitrogen of diet.
Table V (i).—From 19 ozs. Burma rice and 6 ozs. arhar dal 8.47 grms.
nitrogen are absorbed, which is 68.33 per cent. of nitrogen of diet.
These two sets of observations are absolutely comparable for the dal given was
the same in kind and quantity in each ; in fact the only point open to the least
doubt is that the metabolism of 7.85 grms. nitrogen is perhaps too high, due to the
prisoners having been observed for only two days ; but it was not possible to get
them to take the full quantity of rice longer. So that the increase in the amount
of nitrogen undergoing metabolism and the increase in the percentage of the
nitrogen of the diet absorbed, when a decrease in the quantity of rice from 26 ozs.
to 19 ozs. took place, would probably be even slightly greater than we have shown.
This effect of decreasing the amount of rice may be due either to the lessened
bulkiness of the diet permitting of a better percentage absorption of the protein
of the rice or of the dal or, as most probably is the true explanation, to an
increased protein absorption from both rice and dal.
(ii) Investigations on the degree of nitrogenons metabolism on the jail diet when
the amount of Burma rice is reduced from 26 ozs. to just under 23 ozs. per man
daily, the ordinary 6 ozs. of mattar dal being constant.
Five prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH A.
Quantity
of urine. Reaction. Total N.
of urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
mattar dal.
N. of
vegetables. Weight.
FIVE PRISONERS.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
7,680
Acid.
37.05
35.24
29.66
2.36
115
One Hindu
. .
8,760
„
36.97
36.41
29.66
2.36
115
Four Mahomedans .
.
8,496
„
37.27
36.94
29.66
2.36
114.9
10,010
„
40.58
35.69
29.66
2.36
114.8
8,530
„
38.06
34.75
29.66
2.36
114.9
59
Total N. intake—
Total output
—
N. of rice
. 179.03 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
189.93 grms.
„ „ mattar dal
148.30 „
.5 grm. N. daily constant .
12.50 „
„ „ vegetables
11.80 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism
202.43 „
Total N. intake .
=339.13 „
= 59. 69 per cent. of nitrogen of diet and means
the metabolism of 8.09 grms. of nitrogen per
man daily.
These observations are also strictly comparable with those shown in (i) of this
table. It will be seen that the nitrogen of the dal and vegetables is the same in
both sets, and that the only variation is in the amount of nitrogen from Burma
rice. The percentage absorption and protein metabolism show the usual increase
following a diminution in the amount of rice to 23 ozs. per man daily.
Therefore with strictly comparable results we get :—
With 26 ozs. Burma rice + 5.98 grms. N. from arhar dal 7. 85 grms. N. are absorbed.
„ 23 „ „ „ + 5. 93 „ „ „ mattar „ 8.09 „ „ „
„ 19 „ „ „ + 5.98 „ „ „ arhar „ 8.47 „ „ „
(iii) Comparison of the degree of protein metabolism on diets containing the same
amounts of nitrogen in the form of massur and mattar dals, but in which the
quantity of Burma rice varied—in the first diet 24 ozs. were consumed, in the second
20 ozs. were consumed.
Diet I.
Ten prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH.
Quan-
tity of
urine.
Re-
action.
Total
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
vegeta-
bles.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
Ten prisoners, Bengalis
.
16,590
Acid.
73.78
75.94
34.26
29.66
4.72
115.5
17.860
„
72.76
75.54
34.26
29.66
4.72
115.4
18,930
„
79.82
77.64
34.26
29.66
4.72
115.5
15,610
„
74.38
76.39
34.26
29.66
4.72
115.5
15,880
„
74.82
72.62
34.26
29.66
4.72
115.5
I 2
60
Total nitrogen intake—
Total output —
N. of Burma rice
.
378.13 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
375.6 grms.
N. of massur dal
.
171.30 „
.5 grm. daily constant .
.
25.00 „
N. of mattar dal
.
148.30 „
N. of vegetables
.
23.60 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism .
400.56 „
=55.39 p.c. of the total nitrogen of the diet
Total nitrogen intake .
721.33 „
= 8.00 grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
Diet II.
Five prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH.
Quan-
tity of
urine.
Re-
action.
Total
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
veget-
able.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Grms. Lbs.
Five prisoners, Bengalis
. 8,820
Acid
43.46 31.30 17.13 14.83
2.36 115.8
9,260
„
37.46 I 31.30 17.13 14.83
2.36 115.7
8,470
„
38.53 31.30 17.13 14.83
2.36 115.6
8,930
„
38.50 31.30 17.13 14.83
2.36 115.8
6,700
„
39.61 31.30 17.13 14.83
2.36 115.8
Total intake of nitrogen—
Total output —
N. of Burma rice .
. 156.50 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 197.56 grms.
N. of massur dal .
. 85.65 „
.5 grm. N. daily constant . 12.50 „
N. of mattar dal .
. 74.15 „
N. of vegetables .
. 11.80 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism 210.06 „
= 64.03 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
Total nitrogen intake
. 328.10 „
= 8.40 grms. nitrogen per man daily.
Therefore, from these investigations we again obtain evidence supporting the
other results : that a decrease in the quantity of rice of the diet is followed by an
increased protein metabolism.
The results obtained from these two diets are strictly comparable as the
amount of rice alone varied—the other constituents of the diet remaining the same
in kind and amount throughout both periods of observations.
Results contrasted:—
With 24 ozs. Burma rice + 6.39 grms. N. from mattar and massur dals 8.00 grms.
absorbed.
With 20 ozs. Burma rice + 6.39 grms. N. from mattar and massur dals 8.40 grms.
absorbed.
Assuming that the same quantity of nitrogen will be absorbed from the 6 ozs.
61
of the different dals used in (i), (ii) and (iii) of this table, we may state the
results in the following way :—
Per cent. of
nitrogen of diet
absorbed.
Grms. of nitrogen
absorbed.
Grms. of protein
absorbed.
Dals, vegetables,
etc., constant.
26 ozs. Burma rice
.
53.66
7.85
49.12
24
„
„
„ .
55.39
8.00
50.00
23 ,,
,,
„
.
59.69
8.09
50.56
20 „
„
„
.
64.03
8.40
52.50
19 „
„
,,
.
68.33
8.47
52.93
Contrast this with the average results for Bengalis and Ooriyas:—
Full jail diet .
.
.
.
.
50.00
7.55
47.18
We have, therefore, very strong evidence from these observations that a
decrease in the quantity of rice from the 26 ozs. of the jail diet to 19 ozs. permits
of a much better absorption of the protein of the diet. In order to confirm this
view two sets of investigations were arranged in which, as far as possible, the same
five men were observed on diets containing different quantities of rice, while the dal
remained the same in kind and amount throughout the periods during which they
were under investigation.
(iv) Investigation of the degrees of nitrogenous metabolism on diets based on the
following scheme.
Constants
.
.
Burma rice 100 ozs. =Diet I
Massur dal 30 ozs. .
+
„
„ 125 „ =Diet
I I
Vegetables 30 ozs., etc
„
„ 90 „ =Diet III
Diet I.
Five prisoners observed for five days.
BATCH A.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
veget-
ables.
Weight.
Result.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
11, 860
37.02
31.40
37.68
2.36
125.8
Absorption
56.87 per
cent. of N.
of diet =
8.12 grms.
N. per day
per man.
13,400
39.73
31.40
37.68
2.36
125.7
10,790
35.65
31.40
37.68
2.36
125.7
12,320
38.28
31.40
37.68
2.36
125.8
12,890
39.99
31.40
37.68
2.36
126.0
62
Diet II.
BATCH A.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
veget-
ables.
Weight.
Result.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
14,850
37.70
39.25
37.68
2 . 36
127.6
50.10 per cent.
of N. of diet
=7.94 grms.
of N. per day
per man.
11,290
36.90
39.25
37.68
2.36
127.8
9,590
34.37
39.25
37.68
2.36
. .
13,250
38.86
39.25
37.68
2.36
. .
14,240
38.28
39.25
37.68
2.36
129.6
Diet III.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
10,110
38.82
28.26
37 . 68
2.36
128.0
= 59 . 47 per
cent. N. of
diet = 8.12
grms. of N.
per day per
man.
10,880
38.84
28.26
37.68
2.36
127.9
10,900
36.77
28.26
37.68
2.36
127.8
9,820
36.84
28.26
37.68
2.36
127.8
10,260
39.35
28.26
37.68
2.36
128.0
What is to be learned from the results of these three diets ?
Diet I.
Total intake—
Total output
—
N. of rice .
.
. 157 . 00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
. 190 . 67 grms.
N. of dal
.
.
. 188 . 40 „
.5 grms. daily constant .
. 12 . 50 „
N. of vegetables .
. 11 . 80 „
Total N. metabolism
.
. 203 . 17 „
Total N. intake
.
. 357 . 20 „
= 56 . 87 per cent. of N. of diet
= 8 . 12 grms. per day per man.
Diet II.
Total intake—
Total output
—
N. of rice .
.
. 196 . 25 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
. 186 . 11 grms.
N. of dal
.
.
. 188 . 40 „
.5 grm. daily constant
.
. 12 . 50 „
N. of vegetables .
. 11 . 80 „
Tota N. metabolism
.
.
. 198.61 „
Total N. of intaké .
. 396.45 „
= 50 . 10 per cent. of N. of diet
= 7.94 grms. per day per man.
63
Diet III.
Total intake—
Total output—
N. of rice .
.
. 141.30 grms.
N. of urine .
.
.
. 190.62 grms.
N. of dal
.
.
. 188.40 „
.5 grm. daily constant . . 12.50 „
N. of vegetables .
. 11.80 „
Total N. metabolism
.
. 203.12 „
Total N. of intake .
. 341.50 „
=59.47 per cent. of N. of diet
= 8.12 grms. N. per day per man.
Therefore we get the following results :—
Grms. of N.
absorbed.
Per cent. of N.
absorbed.
+
Rice 20 ozs. = Diet I .
. 8.12
56.87
Massur Dal 6 ozs.
„ 25 „ = Diet II .
. 7.94
50.10
Vegetables 6 „
„ 18 „ = Diet III .
. 8.12
59.47
(v) Investigations of the degrees of nitrogenous metabolism on diets composed
of Burma rice, arhar dal and vegetables. The amounts of dal and vegetables were
kept constant, but the quantity of Burma rice varied in each diet.
CONSTANTS.
Arhar dal 30 ozs., Burma rice 100 oze. = Diet I.
Vegetables 30 ozs.,
„ „ 125 „ = Diet II.
etc.
„ „ 90 „ = Diet III.
Diet I.
Five prisoners observed for five days.
BATCH B.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
arhar
dal.
N. of
vegeta-
bles.
Weight.
Result.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms. Lbs.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
15,150
35.63
31.40
30.65
2.36
115.8 Absorption
53.36 per.
cent. of N. of
diet 6.87
grms. of N.
per day per
man.
14,000
34.59
31.40
30.65
2.36
115.9
11 660
32.48
31.40
30.65
2.36
116.1
12,850
29.32
31.40
30.65
2.36
115.8
12,350
27.34
31.40
30.65
2.36
115.9
64
Diet II.
BATCH B.
Quantity
of urine.
Total N.
of urine.
N. of
Burma
rice.
N. of
arhar
dal.
N. of
vegeta-
bles.
Weight.
Result.
C. C.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Lbs.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
14,270
31.46
39.25
30.65
2.36
118.8 44.80 per cent.
of N. of diet
= 6.48 grms.
N. per day
per man.
12,630
30.23
39.25
30.65
2.36
118.6
10,840
28.22
39.25
30.65
2.36
118.6
13,670
32.53
39.25
30.65
2.36
118.9
11,070
27.04
39.25
30.65
2.36
118.9
Diet III.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
9,400
27.30
28.26
30.65
2.36
116.2 56. 86 per cent.
of N. of
d i e t
=6.97 grms.
N. per day
per man.
9 810
23.09
28.26
30.65
2.36
116.2
9,430
25.35
28.26
30.65
2.36
116.3
9,620
26.86
28.26
30.65
2.36
116
6,230
26.77
28.26
30.65
2.36
116.2
What is to be learned from these results ?
Diet I.
T o t a l i n t a k e —
Total output
—
N. of Burma rice .
.
. 157.00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 159.36 grms.
N. of arhar dal
.
.
. 153.25 „
.5 grm. constant daily
. 12.50 „
N. of vegetables
.
.
. 11.80 „
Total N. metabolism .
. 171.86 „
Total N. of intake
.
.
. 322.05 „
=53.36 per cent. of N. of diet
= 6.87 grms. of N. per day per man.
Diet II.
T o t a l i n t a k e —
Total output
—
N. of Burma rice .
.
. 196.25 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 149.48 grms.
N. of arhar dal
.
.
. 153.25 „
.5 grm. constant
.
. 12.50 „
N. of vegetables
.
.
.
11.80 „
Total N. metabolism
.
. 161.98 „
Total N. of intake
.
.
. 361.30
„
=44.80 per cent. of N. of diet
= 6.48 grms. of N. per day per man.
65
Diet III.
Total intake—
Total output
N. of Burma rice
. 141.30 grms.
N. of urine (corrected for 5 men) 161.71 grms.
N. of arhar dal
. 153.25
„
. 5 grm. per day constant .
. 12.50 „
N. of vegetables
. 11.80
„
Total N. metabolism
.
.
. 174.21 „
Total N. of intake
. 306.35
„
=56.86 per cent. of N. of diet
= 6.97 grms. of N. per day per man.
Therefore we get the following results :—
Grms. of
N. absorbed.
Per cent. of
N. of diet
absorbed.
Arhar dal 6 ozs.
Burma rice 20 ozs. = Diet I
.
6.87
53.36
„
„ 25 „ = Diet II
.
6.48
44.80
Vegetables 6 ozs.
,,
,, 18 ,, = Diet III
.
6.97
56.86
We thus learn that the actual amount of nitrogen absorbed, from a diet com-
posed of 6 ozs. each of arhar dal and vegetables, combined with Burma rice
in varying quantities of 20, 25 and 18 ozs. per man daily, is least when the quantity
of rice is 25 ozs., greatest when the amount of rice is 18 ozs. and only slightly
different when 20 ozs. of rice are consumed. These observations again confirm
the results already obtained in previous investigations.
It is worthy of note that in both these sets of investigations—with massur dal
and arhar dal—although the chemical analyses of the dals gave a fairly high
percentage of protein, it was anticipated at the time that the absorption of protein
from the diets would be low. The reason for this opinion was the inferior quality
of these dals in appearance, and the numerous blackened grains present in the
samples. The results show a diminution in the actual quantity of nitrogenous
metabolism compared with those obtained earlier in the year when the food-stuffs
were in a fresher condition. Nevertheless, the general effect is practically the
same, although on a somewhat lower level, as to the influence of the quantity of
rice eaten in the daily diet, i.e., the maximum protein absorption is obtained
from a diet composed of rice and dal, when the rice is given in an amount of from
18 to 20 ozs. per man daily—the dal, vegetables, etc., of the diet remaining
constant.
(b) The effect of varying the amount of dal when the other constituents of the
diet are kept constant. —We have already had a certain amount of evidence that it is
useless to increase the nitrogen of the diet by addition of dal beyond a certain
optimum amount, just as it is useless to increase the amount of rice of the diet