NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
78
Total intake—
Total output
—
N. of rice .
.
. 123.40 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 191.50 grms.
N. of massur dal
. 117.15 „
.5 grm. constant .
.
.
10.00 „
N. of wheat ata
.
61.80 „
N. of vegetables
.
9.40 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism
201.50 „
=64.63 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet,
=10.07 grms. nitrogen per man daily.
Total N. of intake . 311.75 „
Contrast this result with the average protein metabolism on the full Bengal
jail diet :
—
Full Bengal Jail diet gives 50 per cent. of its N. absorbed = 7.55 grms. daily.
This diet 64.63 ,, „ „ „ =10.07 „ „
i.e., by decreasing the rice by 6 ozs. and the dal by 1 oz. per man daily and sub-
stituting 6 ozs. of wheat ata, we get an increase in the percentage of protein
absorption from 50 per cent. to 64.63 per cent. and an actual increase in the
protein metabolism from 7.55 grms. to 10.07 grms. per man daily.
Contrasted with the result shown in (i) of this table the relatively greater pro-
portion of rice in this diet—20 ozs. instead of 13 ozs.—has the effect of lowering
the relative and actual protein absorption.
In order to solve the problem whether by increasing the wheat ata consider-
ably a better absorption of protein would be obtained, we added to this diet an
additional 3 ozs. of wheat ata per man daily.
(iii) Investigations to determine the degree of nitrogenous metabolism on a diet
containing a large amount of rice and wheat ata, i.e.—
Rice .
.
.
20 ozs.
Wheat ata .
. .
9 ozs.
Massur dal
.
.
5 ,,
Vegetables .
. .
6 „
Four prisoners—Ooriyas—over five consecutive days.
BATCH D.
Quantity
of urine.
Re-
action.
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
wheat a t a .
N. of
v e g t a -
bles.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms.
Grms. Grms. Grms.
Lbs.
Four prisoners, Ooriyas .
5,800
Acid
36.56
24.68 23.43
18.54
1.88
119.6
5,750
„
37.35 24.68 23.43
18.54
1.88
119.8
5,750
„
34.01
24.68 23.43
18.54 1.88
119.8
5,860
„
38.78
24.68
23.43
18.54
1.88
119.5
5,430
„
38.92
24.68
23.43
18.54
1.88
119.6
79
Total intake—
Total output—
N. of rice .
.
. 123.40 grms. N. of urine .
.
.
. 185.62 grms.
N. of massur dal .
. 117.15 „
.5 grm. daily constant .
. 10.00 „
N. of wheat ata .
.
92.70 „
N. of vegetables .
.
9.40 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism
195.62 „
=57.09 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet,
Total N. of intake
. 342.65 „
= 9.78 grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
The importance of this result is seen when we contrast it with the foregoing.
These two investigations (ii) and (iii), Table VII, were made on the same
prisoners and under exactly the same conditions, the only difference being that
in (iii) 9 ozs. of wheat ata were given instead of 6 ozs. per man daily. The result
is :—
Constants.
Grms. of nitrogen absorbed.
Per cent. nitrogen absorbed.
Rice
.
. 20 ozs.
Wheat ata 6 ozs. .
10.07
64.63
Dal
.
. 5 „
+
Vegetables
. 6 „
Wheat ata 9 ozs. .
9.78
57.09
That is, in a diet containing 20 ozs. of rice we actually get a better absorption
when 6 ozs. of wheat ata are added than when 9 ozs. are given. So that, with 20
ozs. of rice in the diet, 9 ozs. of wheat ata is beyond the amount from which the
maximum absorption can take place. We shall see later, that in the Behari type
of diet the rice must be reduced considerably below 20 ozs. in order to get the
maximum absorption from a diet containing 9 or 10 ozs. of wheat ata per man daily.
We need hardly again refer to the futility of attempting to obtain the co-
efficient of protein absorption of rice, wheat ata, or dal. Thus, in (ii) and (iii) the
difference of the nitrogen intake=6.18 grms. is in favour of (iii), whilst the differ-
ence in nitrogen absorption is 1 17 grms. in favour of (ii). So that apparently none
of the protein of the extra 3 ozs. of wheat is absorbed, i.e., actually less
protein is absorbed from a diet containing 9 ozs. of wheat ata than from one
containing 6 ozs. when these amounts are given with 20 ozs. of rice, 6 ozs. of
vegetables and 5 ozs. of dal.
The explanation is that the large bulk of the rice interferes less with the
absorption of a diet containing 6 ozs. of wheat ata than with that of one containing
9 ozs.
(iv) Further evidence of the beneficial effects of a reduction of the quantity of rice
and the substitution of a more easily assimilable protein, is afforded by the following
observations carried out in the Presidency Jail, Calcutta.
We saw in Table V (ii) from investigations on ten prisoners on a diet of 24 ozs.
of Burma rice and 3 ozs. each of massur and mattar dals that 55.39 per cent.
80
of the nitrogen of the diet was absorbed which meant 8.00 grms. per man
daily. Contrast this result with that obtained by reducing the quantity of Burma
rice to 18 ozs. per man daily and giving 4.5 ozs. of wheat ata instead.
Ten prisoners observed over five consecutive days.
B A T C H .
Quantity
of urine.
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
massur
dal.
No. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
vegeta-
bles.
Weight.
C. C. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Lbs.
Ten prisoners, Bengalis
. 21,940
96.87 56.80 27.18 34.26 29.66 4.72
117.6
24,020
94.65 56.80 27.18 34.26 29.66 4.72
117.8
21,500
96.69 56.80 27.18 34.26 29.66 4.72
117.8
18,960
99.84 56.80 27.18 34.26 29.66 4.72
117.5
17,960
97.10 56.80 27.18 34.26 29.66 4.72
117.5
Total intake of nitrogen—
Total output —
N. of Burma rice .
. 284.00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. 485.15 grms.
N. of massur dal .
. 171.30 „
.5 grm. daily constant .
. 25.00 „
N. of mattar dal .
. 148.30 „
N. of wheat ata .
. 135.90 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism . 510.15 „
N. of vegetables .
.
23.60 „
=66.85 per cent. of nitrogen of diet,
=10.20 grms. nitrogen per man daily.
Total N. of intake
763.10 „
That is, by reducing the quantity of rice by 6 ozs. per man daily and substitut-
ing for it 4.5 ozs. of wheat ata, there is an increase in the percentage of protein
absorption from 55.39 to 66.85 per cent. and an actual increase in nitrogenous
metabolism from 8.00 grms. to 10.20 grms. per man daily.
(v) As we had obtained evidence that 6 ozs. of dal was probably beyond the amount
from which the maximum absorption was possible, the following observations were made
in order to determine the effects of a reduction of the amount of dal from 6 ozs. to 4 ozs.
per man daily. The amount of rice was reduced from 26 to 18 ozs.—its nitrogen equi-
valent being made up by adding 4 ozs. of wheat ata:—
Burma rice
. .
. 18 ozs.
Wheat ata .
.
.
. 4 ozs.
Massur dal
. .
. 2 „
Vegetables
.
.
. 6 „
Mattar dal
.
.
. 2 „
81
Five Bengali prisoners observed during five consecutive days.
BATCH B.
Quantity
of urine.
Re-
action.
Total
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
mattar
dal.
N. of
wheat.
N. of
vegeta-
bles.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Lbs.
11,550
Acid
42.76
28.40
11.42
9.86
12.08
2.36
117.5
10,950
„
44.37
28.40
11.42 9.86
12.08
2.36
117.2
Three Hindus
10,090
„
37.74
28.40
11.42
9.86
12.08
2.36
117.3
Two Mahomedans
10,680
„
40.47
28.40
11.42
9.86
12.08
2.36
117.5
10,670
„
38.28
28.40
11.42
9.86
12.08
2.36
117.5
Total intake—
Output —
N. of rice .
. .
142.00 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
. =203.62 grms.
N. of massur dal
.
57.10 „
.5 grm. constant
.
.
. 2 5 0 „
N. of mottar dal
.
49.40 „
N. of wheat ata
.
60.40 „
Total metabolism
.
. =216.12
„
N. of vegetables
.
11.80 „
=67.41 per cent. of N. of diet,
=8.64 grms. of N. per day per man.
Total N. intake
. =320.60 „
Taken in conjunction with the results obtained from the full jail diet the great
superiority of this type of diet is very evident:—
Per cent.
absorption.
Grms. of nitrogen
per man daily.
Ordinary jail diet —26 ozs. rice, 6 ozs. dal
.
.
. 50.00
7.55
This diet— 18 „ „ 4 „ „
.
67.41
8.64
4 „ wheat ata
When wheat ata was substituted for part of the rice or dal or both many other
results were obtained and all showed the beneficial effects of a reduction to 18 ozs.
of the quantity of rice in the diet, when its nitrogen was partly or wholly
replaced by protein derived from wheat ata. The observations also corroborated
the evidence already brought forward that the 6 ozs. of dal in the ordinary
jail diet can be reduced with satisfactory results, so far as the protein metabolism
of the prisoners is concerned. Even in the case of gram dal, which is the poorest
in nitrogen and, as we have already intimated, probably the most difficult of
assimilation, a reduction of one ounce per man daily can easily be made—when the
rice is reduced to 18 ozs. and 4 ozs. of wheat ata are added to the diet—and a
M
83
The following series of results bring out these points very clearly :—
(i) Substitution of nitrogen derived from goat's flesh for half the nitrogen of
arhar dal, full diet of 26 ozs. of rice.
Four prisoners—all Ooriyas—urine of prisoners pooled.
[The table also shows the gradual effect of the change in diet, two days being necessary before the maxi-
mum absorption takes place. The last three days only are accepted.]
BATCH.
Total
quantity
of urine.
Reac-
tion.
N. in
urine. Weight. N. in
rice.
N. in
arhar
dal.
N. in
goat's
flesh.
N. in
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms. Grms.
Four prisoners, Ooriyas .
5,600
Acid
27.71
108 .2
32 . 08
12. 85
12 . 95
1.96
6,000
„
34.94
108. 5
32 . 08
12 . 85
12 . 95
1.96
5,700
„
36.75
108 . 2
32 . 08
12. 85
12 . 95
1.96
5,280
„
37.32
108 .2
32 . 08
12 . 85
12 . 95
1.96
4,440
„
37.23
108 .2
32 . 08
12 . 85
12 . 95
1.96
Total intake—
Output
—
N. of rice .
.
96.24 grms.
N. in urine
.
.
.
=111.30 grms.
„ of dal
.
.
38.55 „
Constant .5 grm.
.
.
= 6.00 „
„ of goat's flesh .
38.85 „
„ of vegetables .
5.88 „
Total N. metabolism .
.
=117.30 „
= 65.34 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. intake . =179.52 „
= 9.77 grms. of N. per day per man.
Contrasted with the result given on Table III (ii), where the same five men
were on the full jail diet of 26 ozs. of rice and 6 ozs. of arhar dal, we see that by the
substitution for half the ordinary amount of arhar dal of its nitrogen equivalent in
the form of goat's flesh we get :—
Per cent. of protein
absorbed.
Grms. of nitrogen
per man daily.
26 ozs. rice, 6 ozs. arhar dal
.
.
.
49.78
7.43
26 „ „ 3 „ „ „ 4½ ozs. flesh.
.
6 5 . 3 4
9.77
M 2
84
(ii) Substitution of nitrogen, derived from goat's flesh and fish, in quantities
considerably less than sufficient to make up for the diminution in the nitrogen due to
decreasing the rice of the ordinary diet by a half—the full amount of nitrogen from
gram dal given, 7 ozs.
Four Ooriya prisoners under observation for six consecutive days.
BATCH.
Total
quantity
of urine.
Reac-
tion.
N. in.
urine. Weight. N. in
rice.
N. in.
dal.
N. in
fish.
N. in
goats
flesh.
N. in
Vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Four prisoners,
Ooriyas.
5,965
Acid
38.22
108.2
16.04
25.74
6.52
7.20
1.96
4,450
„
37.31
108.2
16.04
25.74
6.52
7.20
1.96
4,760
„
47.98
108.0
16.04
25.74
6.52
7.20
1.96
5,540
„
50.10
107.8
16.04
25.74
6.52
7.20
1.96
4,930
„
39.73
108.2
16.04
25.74 6.52
7.20
1.96
4,820
„
45.92
108.2
16.04
25.74
6.52
7.20
1.96
T o t a l i n t a k e —
Output —
N. of rice
.
.
96.24 grms.
N. of urine
.
. = 259.26 grms.
„ „ dal
.
. 154.44 „
Constant .5 grm.
.
= 12.00 „
„ „ fish
.
.
39.12 „
„ „ g o a t ' s f l e s h .
43.20 „
Total N. metabolism
= 271.26 „
„ „ vegetables .
11.76 „
= 78.68 per cent. total N. of diet.
= 11.30 grms. of N. per day per man.
Total N. of intake
= 344.76 „
Contrasted with the results given on Table III (iii), where the same five men
were on the full jail diet 26 ozs. of rice and 7 ozs. of gram dal, we see that by
the substitution of considerably less than its nitrogen equivalent in the form of
fish and goat's flesh for half the rice of the ordinary diet we get :—
Per cent. of protein
absorbed.
Grms. nitrogen
per man daily.
Ordinary diet
—
26 ozs. rice, 7 ozs. gram dal
.
.
.
.
49.20
7.35
13 ozs. rice, 7 ozs. gram dal
3 ozs. fish
78.68
11.30
2½ ozs. goat's flesh
Contrasting (i) and (ii) of this table we see how very much greater the effect
on protein absorption is when practically the same amount of animal protein
replaces part of the rice of the diet than when it replaces the dal. This affords
still further evidence of the beneficial effects of a rednction of the huge quantity
of rice in the dietaries of Bengal jails.
85
( i) and (ii) contrasted :—
N. of rice.
N. of dal.
N. of animal
protein.
Per cent. of pro-
tein absorbed.
Grms, of nitrogen
per man daily.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
32.08
12.85
12.95
65.34
9.77
16.04
25.74
13.72
78.68
11.30
(iii) The effects of substitution of practically the exact nitrogen equivalent of
half the dal by wheat ata, and considerably less than the nitrogen equivalent of half
the rice by protein derived from fish :—
DIET A.—R i c e
.
.
.
13 ozs. Fish .
.
.
. 6 ozs.
Arhar dal . .
.
3 „
Wheat ata .
. .
6.5 „
Vegetables
.
.
. 6 ozs.
[These observations show the gradual effect of the new diet, two days being required before nitrogenous
metabolism became constant at the higher level obtained with the more assimilable protein of wheat
ata and fish.]
Four prisoners—Ooriyas—observed for three days.
BATCH.
Total
quantity
of urine.
Reac-
tion.
Total
N. of
urine.
Weight N. in
rice.
N. in
dal.
N. in
ata.
N. in
fish.
N. in
vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms. Lbs. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Four prisoners,
Ooriyas.
5,080 Acid. 27.70
..
16.04 12.85 12.36 13.04 1.96
5,000
„
36.65 98.2
16.04 12.85 12.36 13.04 1.96
5,000
„
45.85 98.2
16.04 12.85 12.36 13.04 1.96
4,650
„
46.59 98.2
16.04 12.85 12.36 13.04 1.96
4,620
„
44.99 98.2
16.04 12.85 12.36 13.04 1.96
Total intake—
Output —
N. in rice
. .
. 48.12 grms.
N. in urine .
.
.
137.43 grms.
„ „ dal .
.
. 37.55 „
Constant .5 grm. .
.
6.00 „
„ „ ata .
.
. 37.08 „
„ „ fish .
.
. 39.12 „
Total N. metabolism
. = 143.43 „
„ „ vegetables. .
. 5.88 „
= 85.50 per cent. of total N. of diet,
= 1 1 . 9 5 g r ms . p e r d a y p e r ma n .
Total N. of intake
.
= 167.75 „
That is, with a diet of the above type we obtain an absorption of protein that
compares very favourably with that got from European types of dietaries
—twelve out of the fourteen grms. of nitrogen offered per man daily being absorbed.
So that the Bengali is quite able to assimilate and make use of protein when
this is offered him in a form easy of absorption.
(iv)Practically the same diet as in (iii) except that gram dal replaces arhar dal
while the nitrogen from fish is somewhat less, i.e.—
DIET B.—Rice
. .
.
. 13 ozs. Fish
.
.
.
. 5.2 ozs.
Gram dal .
.
. 3 „ Wheat ata .
.
. 6.5 „
Vegetable .
.
.
6 o z s .
86
BATCH.
Total
quantity
o f u r i n e
Re-
action.
Total
N . o f
urine.
Weight.
N. in
rice.
N. in
gram
dal.
N. in
ata.
N. in
fish.
N. in
Vege-
tables.
C. C.
Grms.
Lbs.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Four prisoners .
5,570
Acid
39 . 04
98 . 8
16.04
12. 87
12. 36
11 .41
1.96
5,630
„
39.51
98 . 8
16.04
2.87
12. 36
11 .41
1.96
4,220
„
39.30
98 . 6
16.04
12 . 87
12. 36
11.41
1.96
5,830
„
38.74
98 . 7
16.04
12 . 87
12. 36
11 .41
1.96
4,700
„
40.36
98 . 8
16.04
12. 87
12. 36
11 .41
1.96
Total intake—
Total output
—
N. in rice
.
. 80.02 grms.
N. of urine
.
.
.
. 196.95 grms.
„ „ arhar dal
. 64.35 „
.5 grm. daily constant
.
. 10.00 „
„ „ ata
.
. 61.80 „
„ „ fish
.
. 57.05 „
Total nitrogenous metabolism
. 206.95 „
„ „ vegetables
. 9.80 „
= 75.71 per cent, of nitrogen of diet,
= 10.35 grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
Total N. of intake
=273.20 „
If we assume in these results (iii) and (iv) that an identical amount of nitrogen
is absorbed from 12.85 grms. of arhar dal and 12.87 grms. of gram dal, then the
difference in the daily quantity of nitrogenous metabolism must be due to the
difference in the nitrogen intake of fish.
Difference in nitrogen intake of fish between (iii) and (iv)
=65.20—57.05 grms.
=
8.15 „
Difference in amount of nitrogenous metabolism (iii) and (iv)
=59.75—51.05 „
=
8.00 „
which would mean that 8.15 grammes of nitrogen as fish gives an increased nitro
- genous metabolism of 8 grins. or that practically 100 per cent. is absorbed ; but
we have shown that when the protein of arhar dal and gram dal is offered
in equal quantities, the protein of gram dal is not quite so well absorbed as that
of arhar dal—see synopsis of Table III—so that, making allowance for this slight
difference, it would mean that 96.8 per cent. of the nitrogen offered in the extra fish
was absorbed, a result very closely approaching those obtained by European and
American workers.
But, as we have already pointed out, it is only possible to show that over 95
per cent. of the protein of fish is absorbed when the bulk of the jail diet is very
greatly diminished. When the diet is at all bulky the protein absorption from fish
or animal diet appears much lower than 95 per cent. : this is most probably not due
to less being absorbed, but to the fact that the system being able to satisfy its re-
quirements easily from fish or the animal diet given, less protein is absorbed from
the bulky part of the diet than would otherwise be the case. In all probability also
the bulkiness of the diet interferes with the protein absorption from animal food-
87
stuffs, just as we have seen it does in the case of vegetable materials. Whatever
the true explanation may be there is no doubt that when the rice of the diet is ex-
cessive in amount, the addition of an animal protein has not the same
relative effect in increasing nitrogenous metabolism as when the quantity of
rice is low. Now this cannot be due to the excessive carbohydrate element, when
the quantity of rice is large, sparing protein, because we find exactly the same
results when the carbohydrates are kept constant ; and we have good reason to
suppose that when the carbohydrate element of a diet is such as supplied by
the ordinary Bengal jail standard, a very large part of it is never made use
of in the body, but is either broken down by fermentation or passed out
unchanged.
The influence of the bulkiness of a diet on the apparent amount of nitrogen
absorbed from an animal protein is clearly brought out in the following investiga-
tions:—
(v) In Table V (iii) we saw that on a diet composed of
—
Rice .
. .
. 20 ozs.
Massur dal .
. 3 „
there was a nitrogenous metabolism of 8.40
grms. of nitrogen per man daily.
Mottar dal
.
. 3 „
Vegetables .
. 6 „
Now add 6 ozs. of fish to this diet and we get:—
Four prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH.
Quantity
of urine.
Re-
action.
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
fish.
N. of
Vege-tables. Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Lbs.
Four prisoners .
.
5,555 Acid 40.48 24.68 28.12 13.04 1.88
113.9
4,470
„
40.67 24.68 28.12 13.04 1.88
114.2
6,150
„
46.58 24.68 28.12 13.04 1.88
113.4
5,110
„
41.49 24.68 28.12 13.04 1.88
113.6
4,300
„
39.47 24.68 28.12 13.04 1.88
113.9
Total intake—
Total output —
N. of rice
.
. 123.40 grms.
N. of urine .
.
.
. 208.69 grms.
„ „ massur dal
. 140.60 „
.5 grm. constant
. .
. 10.00 „
„ „ fish
.
.
65.20 „
„ „ vegetables
9.40 „
Total N. metabolised .
.
. 218.69 „
= 64.58 per cent. of diet,
Total N. of intake
= 338.60 „
= 10.93 grms. N. per day per man.
Difference in nitrogen intake
Difference in nitrogenous
due to added fish = 13.04 „
metabolism .
.
. = 10.12 grms.
88
which would apparently mean that 13.04 grms. of nitrogen given in fish increases
the nitrogenous metabolism by 10.12 grms.
This would be an absorption of 77.6 per cent. of the protein of fish ; but we
have already seen from investigations (iii) and (iv) of this Table, that 96.8 per cent.
of the nitrogen of fish is absorbed when the rice is reduced to 13 ozs. per man
daily ; there must, therefore, be some influence at work to cause this great
variation. It cannot be a difference in the carbohydrate element as this is identi-
cal in the two diets contrasted in (v) ; so that by exclusion it can only be the
difference in the bulkiness of the diet in (iii) and (iv)—where rice is given in
quantities of 13 ozs., compared with its bulk in (v)—where 20 ozs. of rice per man
daily are given.
(vi) Further evidence that the addition of an animal protein to a diet containing a
large amount of rice has nothing like it proper influence in raising the level of nitro
-genous metabolism, is afforded by the following investigations:—
Rice .
.
. .
. 20 ozs.
Massur dal
. .
.
6
„
same diet as in (v) with the addition of
3 ozs. more fish.
Fish .
.
. .
.
9
„
Vegetables .
. .
.
6
„
Four prisoners observed for five consecutive days.
BATCH C.
Quantity
of urine.
Re-
action.
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
massur
dal.
N. of
fish.
N. of
vege-
tables.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Lbs.
Four prisoners, Ooriyas
.
4, 230
Acid
44.14
24.68
28.12
19.56
1.88
114.8
4,900
„
42.60
24.68
28.12
19.56
1.88
115.0
5,400
„
43.84
24.68
28.12
19.56
1.88
115.0
5,025
„
45.51
24.68
28.12
19.56
1.88
114.6
4,380
„
47.41
24.68
28.12
19.56
1.88
114.8
T o t a l i n t a k e —
Total output
—
N. of rice
.
. 123.40 grms.
N. of urine .
.
.
. 223.50 grms.
„ „ massur dal
. 140.60 „
.5 grm. constant
.
.
. 10.00 „
„ „ fish
.
. 97.80 „
„ „ vegetables
.
9.40 „
Total N. metabolised .
.
. 233.50
„
=62.9 per cent. of N. of diet,
Total N. of intake
. 371.20 „
= 11.7 grms. N. per day per man.
That is, contrasting the results in (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this table we get
:—
CONSTANT.
Nitrogen undergoing
metabolism. Grms.
Rice .
. 13 ozs.
Arhar dal
.
3 „
(a) Fish 3.26 grms. N=6 ozs.
. 11.95 per man daily.
Wheat ata
. 6.5 „
+
(b ) „ 2.85 „ N=5.2 ozs. . 10.35 „ „ „
Vegetables
. 6 „
89
which means the absorption of 96.8 per cent. of the nitrogen of fish.
Nitrogen undergoing
metabolism. Grms.
Rice
.
. 20 ozs.
+
(α) Nil grms. N.
.
.
. 8.40 daily.
Massur dal
.
6,,
(ß ) Fish 4.89 grms. N. =9 ozs. . 11.70 „
Vegetables
.
6 „
( y ) „ 3.26 „ N. =6 „
. 10.93 „
which means the absorption between (α ) and (γ) of 77.6 per cent. of the nitrogen
of fish and between ( α ) and (ß ) of 67.5 per cent. of the nitrogen of the fish. So
that an increase in the quantity of fish in a diet would appear to cause a
decreased percentage of its protein absorption. This relative decrease is, however,
not due entirely to less of the nitrogen of fish being absorbed but, in all prob-
ability, is brought about by the physiological requirements being satisfied by the
animal protein plus a certain amount from the other constituents. Therefore, an
increase in the animal protein will entail less nitrogen being required from the other
constituents, and thus an apparently low protein absorption from fish will occur.
In whatever way this is brought about, the fact remains that unless the
bulk of a diet is such that the stomach and intestinal tract can deal with it effectively,
the maximum percentage of protein absorption cannot take place. This in itself is
a strong argument for a decrease in the bulk of the diet and, à fortiori, of its rice
content.
(vii) The effect on nitrogenous metabolism of replacing one-third of the protein of
rice by nitrogen in the form of wheat ata, and one-third of the protein of dal by nitrogen
in the form of goat's flesh, i.e.,—
Rice
.
.
.
. 18 ozs.
Goat's flesh .
.
. 3.2 ozs.
Massur and mattar dals
. 4 ,,
Vegetables
.
.
. 6 „
Wheat ata
.
. .
4 . 5 „
Five Bengali prisoners observed over ten days:
BATCH D.
Quantity
of urine.
Re-
action.
N. of
urine.
N. of
rice.
N. of
dals.
N. of
wheat
ata.
N. of
goat's
flesh.
N. of
vege-
tables.
Weight.
C. C.
Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms. Grms.
Lbs.
Five prisoners,
Bengalis.
9,370 Acid
46.17
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
119.8
9,930
„
46.15
28.40 21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
119.7
9,800
„
47.16
28.40 21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
119.8
10,830
„
46.93
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
119.9
9,970
„
44.24
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
120.1
10,360
„
45.68
28.40 21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
120.0
8,390
,,
49.62
28.40 21.28
13.59
10.50
2.36
119.9
9,900
„
52.83
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.59
2.36
111.9
9,310
„
49.18
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.59
2.36
119.8
8,500
„
52.00
28.40
21.28
13.59
10.59
2.36
119.8