NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
141
if we are to know what the effect of a diet is to be, that when a certain
quantity of wheat is ordered in a diet, that amount of wheat will be given,
and not a mixture of wheat, barley, gram and other grains that are not
food-materials at all. For instance, take the results shown by Diet A men-
tioned above. We found that:—
Diet A.
Wheat 11 chittacks
.
.
.
. 10.0826 grms. nitrogen
Barley 3 „
.
.
.
.
2.3412 „
„
Arhar 1 chittack
.
.
.
.
2.0782 „
„
Vegetables 3 chittacks
.
.
0.5000 „
„
with a nitrogen intake of 15.0020 grms. showed 9.708 grms. nitrogen
absorbed, or 64.7 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
Supposing this had been first class wheat instead of being wheat very
inferior in quality, the relative and absolute protein absorption shown by the
diet would have been very different. Eleven chittacks of first class wheat
would offer 11.8733 grms. nitrogen.
Therefore, making use of our co-efficients of protein absorption we should
have 11.8733 × 80.6+2.3412 × 57.6+2.5782 × 80.5, that is, 12.9937 grms. nitro-
gen absorption or 77.4 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet. An absolute
increase of over 3 grms. of nitrogen per man daily and a relative increase of
12.7 per cent. in the protein absorption from the diet.
This example not only makes clear the importance of the quality of wheat
in raising the level of protein metabolism, but also shows that the quantity of
wheat, when first quality is made use of, can be considerably diminished and
still maintain a level of protein metabolism up to the standard of the present
dietaries.
Diet A with first quality wheat gives a nitrogenous metabolism of
12.9937 grms., whereas we only require a metabolism of 11.286 grms.; so that,
the wheat could be considerably reduced and still offer a diet of a nutritive
value equal to the present dietaries. Further, as we have already pointed out,
a good quality of wheat must be given if the percentage of nitrogenous waste
excreted by the bowel is to be lessened. The large residue of nitrogenous
material, capable of undergoing putrefactive changes and causing intestinal
irritation, is the great fault of the present types of dietaries and calls for
correction.
We shall now proceed to work out dietaries composed of the food-materials
142
easily obtainable in the United Provinces. In doing so we shall observe the
following conditions :
—
(1) The dietaries suggested to afford a protein metabolism at least equal
to that found as the average level of the present dietaries.
(2) The dietaries suggested to decrease as much as possible the excessive
nitrogenous waste of the present dietaries.
(3) The dietaries suggested to lessen, if possible, the excessive carbohydrate
element and caloric value of the present dietaries.
(4) The dietaries suggested to fulfil these conditions without an increase in
the amount of pulse beyond 2½ chittacks.
In order to carry out these several conditions it will be evident that wheat
must enter largely into the composition of all dietaries suggested.
The simplest way of solving the problem will be to accept as our unit
of weight the chittack, equal to 2.05 ozs. avoirdupois ; to work out the
average value of one chittack of the different food-materials in nitrogen and
carbohydrates, and then, by making use of the co-efficients of nitrogen
absorption, to determine the quantity of nitrogen that will be absorbed from
one chittack of each food-material.
Having found the amount of nitrogen that will undergo metabolism from
one chittack of each food-stuff, we shall be in a position to work out the combi-
nations of the different food-materials that will fulfil the above conditions ;
being guided all the time by the results actually obtained from practical
observations on the dietaries suggested or on very similar dietaries. In this
way we shall obtain a series of diets whose several combinations are based on
the real nutritive value of the food-materials and not on their apparent value or
gross chemical composition, and a series of diets from which the level of protein
absorption will be comparatively high and practically identical for each diet of
the series.
Table of food-stuffs showing the amount of Nitrogen and Carbohydrate per
chittack with absorption of Nitrogen per chittack of food-material.
FOOD-STUFF.
Carbohydrate
per chittack.
Nitrogen per
chittack.
Absorption of
nitrogen per
chittack.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
1st class wheat .
.
.
.
.
.
.
42.45
1.1144
0.89820
Jail wheat
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
42.13
0.9460
0.63476
Gram dal .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
29.38
1.7060
1.09525
Arhar „ .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
31.31
2.02505
1.70104
143
FOOD-STUFF.
Carbohydrate
per chittack.
Nitrogen per
chittack.
Absorption of
nitrogen per
chittack.
Grms.
Grms.
Grms.
Urid dal .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
32.10
2.07715
1.43738
Barley
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
44.24
0.82974
0.47793
Juar
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
39.10
0.71347
0.37814
Bajra
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
42.67
0.8114
0.40070
Makka (1) .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
38.48
0.88835
0.59963
Vegetables
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
8.50
0.16650
0.12704
Marua (2)
.
.
.
.
.
. .
42.52
0.67905
0.35989
(1) These figures are based on analyses of makka or maize carried out from material supplied by the
Bengal Jails. The absorption of the protein of makka is taken at 67 . 5 per cent.
(2) These figures are based on an analysis of marua by Church.
Albuminoids .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7.30 per cent.
Starch .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 73.20 „ „
Fat
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 1.50 „ „
Marua is said to be much used by poorer classes in Western India usually in the form of porridge.
It is considered to be particularly wholesome and digestible, and a thin gruel made from it is
much used, mixed with cow's milk, for weaning children and as a diet for invalids.
With first quality of wheat in use we believe the proper type of diet for
inhabitants of the United Provinces to be a combination of wheat and another
cereal with a pulse: the wheat to predominate. However, there are seasons of
the year when most of the cereals except wheat are scare, so that it will be
necessary to have a diet of the type of Diet E, viz., the combination of wheat
with pulses, capable of being used when the other food-materials fail. With
the option of several other good types of diets, there should be no necessity to
keep prisoners on the diet we suggest of the type of Diet E for long periods, as
is the case at present.
Marua is an early rains crop and is available by August. Bajra and juar
are available during the winter months. Barley is available most of the year
and makka for several months. There is therefore a fairly wide choice of food-
materials to select from over the greater part of the year.
We shall now consider the framing of a diet, similar in type to Diet E of
the Jail Code, for use during periods when other cereals, except wheat, fail or
are so scare as to be comparatively expensive.
144
DIET I.—WHEAT AND PULSE COMBINATION.
Diet E of the Jail Code we found to be faulty in that it presents too much
pulse entering into its composition, and that the pulse with the lowest
co-efficient of protein absorption—gram dal—forms 2½ chittacks of a total of
3½ chittacks. Also that the gram is badly prepared for consumption.
We found that Diet E on the average offered 17.09026 grms. nitrogen of
which 11.64996 grms. were absorbed, or 68.16 per cent. of the nitrogen of the
diet.
In order to correct the above-mentioned faults and raise the percentage of
protein absorption, we would suggest that :—
First quality of wheat alone be given, the quantity being reduced.
Gram dal be either left out entirely or the quantity largely reduced.
Arhar dal, which shows a high co-efficient of protein absorption, be in
-creased.
We therefore propose the following :—
Diet I. ( a) 1st class Wheat . 10½ chittacks = 11.7002 grms. nitrogen
Total value 16.2503
grms. nitrogen.
Arhar
. 2
„
= 4.0501
„
, ,
or
Vegetables 3
„
= 0.5000
,,
,,
Diet I. ( b ) 1st class Wheat . 10½ chittacks = 11.7002 grms. nitrogen
Total value 16.78425
grms. nitrogen.
Gram
. 1½
,,
= 2.5590
„
,,
Arhar
. 1 chittack = 2.02505 „
,,
Vegetables 3 chittacks = 0.5000
„
, ,
Diet I. ( a). This diet offers an intake of 16.2502 grms. nitrogen of
which 13.2143 grms. will be absorbed, or 81.3 per cent. of the nitrogen of
the diet.
Reference to the observations recorded under serial Nos. 21 and 22 will
show that we have investigated this type of dietary with first class wheat and
found that it gives results practically the same as worked out above.
This diet appears to us to be the best obtainable with the food-materials at
our command. It fulfils all the conditions we laid down, the most important,
to decrease as much as possible the excessive nitrogenous waste of the present
dietaries, being well met; this diet showing under 19 per cent. of nitrogenous
waste, while the loss with the present dietaries, on the average, is 32.6 per cent.
Further, this suggested diet raises the absolute level of protein metabolism also,
allowing of nitrogenous interchanges up to 13.2143 grms. per man daily com-
pared with that of 11.286 grms. from the dietaries now in force. Another
point in favour of this diet is that the excessive carbohydrate element of the
present dietaries is largely reduced, viz., from an average of 625 grms. to
532.83 grms. per man daily. The caloric value is also closer to what would be
145
considered the proper standard, viz., 2,810 calories in place of 3,260 calories fur-
nished by the present dietaries. This heat value is still very high permitting of
52 calories per kilo of body-weight in place of 60 calories offered in present
dietaries : both these figures being greater than that considered sufficient for
Europeans.
We might draw up the different points of contrast to show the distinctions
clearly :—
Average of present Dietaries.
Suggested Diet I (a).
Nitrogen offered .
.
16.7292 grms.
16.2503 grms.
„ absorbed
.
11.2860 „
13.2143 „
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
81.3 per cent.
,, wasted
.
32.6 „
18.7 „
Carbohydrates offered .
625.0 grms.
532.83 grms.
Heat value
.
.
3,260 calories.
2,810 calories.
Calories per kilo of body-
weight.
60 „
52 ,,
There can be little doubt, therefore, of the superiority of Diet I ( a).
Diet I (b). This diet offers an intake of 16.78425 grms. nitrogen of which
13.15613 grms. will be absorbed, or 78.4 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
Contrasted as before :—
Average of present Dietaries.
Suggested Diet I (b).
Nitrogen offered .
.
16.7292 grms.
16.7842 grms.
,, absorbed
.
11.2860 „
13.15613 „
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
78.4 per cent.
„ wasted
.
32.6 „
21.6 „
Carbohydrate offered
. 625.0 grms.
546.6 grms.
Heat value .
.
.
3,260 calories.
2,914 calories.
Calories per kilo of body-
weight.
60 „
54 „
Diet I (b ) is, therefore, much superior to the dietaries now in force,
although not so good a combination as Diet I (a).
It may well be asked why Diet I ( b) has been introduced at all, seeing that
Diet I (a) is quite satisfactory and is a better combination. Our reason for its
introduction is that gram is largely used by the inhabitants of the province and
is a favourite food-stuff with Jail Superintendents for use as an early morning
meal, when it is given as parched gram. Although we are not much impressed
with the value of parched gram as a food-material, still we think it better to
frame a diet containing gram, so that it can be used if desired. Given in the
combinations we recommend it is a very good diet, being much superior to any
of dietaries at present in force.
V
146
It will be evident that Diets I (a) and I (b) are in reality substitutes for
Diet E of the Jail Code, they should, therefore, be contrasted with Diet E and
the distinctions noted. Thus :—
Diet E of present scales. Diet I (a).
Diet I (b).
Nitrogen offered . 17.09206 grms.
16.2503 grms. 16.7842 grms.
„ absorbed . 11.64996 „
13.2143 „
13.15613 „
Percentage absorbed 68.16 per cent.
81.3 per cent. 78.4 per cent.
„ wasted . 31.84 „
18.7 „
21.6 „
Carbohydrate offered 614.68 grms.
532.83 grms.
546.6 grms.
Heat value .
. 3,242 calories
2,810 calories 2,914 calories.
Calories per kilo of
body-weight.
60 „
52 „
54 „
So that, under every heading Diets I ( a) and I ( b) are superior to the
diet which is undoubtedly the best of those in present use.
There is just one other point we wish to mention with regard to the
suggested Diets I (a) and I ( b). It will be noticed that the quantities of
nitrogen undergoing metabolism from them are considerably higher than that
attained on the average from the present dietaries, by almost 2 grms. of nitrogen
per man daily. It may be wondered at, why we do not arrange the several
combinations in such quantities that a closer approach to the present standard
is obtained, seeing that the nitrogenous interchange possible from the dietaries
now in force is amply sufficient for the requirements of the body. Our reason
is two-fold. First, to have combinations of first class wheat with pulse in such
quantities that a level of 11.268 grms. of nitrogenous metabolism should take
place, it would mean a considerable reduction in the total weight and volume of
the dietaries below that at which Diets I (a) and I (b) stand. We do not con-
sider it advisable to lower the quantity of a vegetable diet below two pounds of
uncooked material daily. The diets we suggest are not much over this standard.
Secondly, it is intended that these diets should be used during the periods of
the year when other cereals are scare, i.e., before the new crops are ready. This
in reality will mean that the wheat and pulses are old and likely to have been
damaged to some extent during storage, as by weevils. It would, therefore, be
necessary to have something in reserve in dietaries used during those periods to
make up for any falling off in the nutritive value of the food-stuffs. This we
have provided for in Diets I ( a) and I (b) to the extent of 2 grms. of nitrogen
per man daily, or almost 15 per cent. of the total nitrogenous metabolism.
We may conclude, therefore, that Diets I (a) and I (b) are superior in every
detail to any of those at present in use, and that they are particularly suitable
for the late hot weather and rains, during which food materials are apt to
deteriorate, as they provide a considerable margin of reserve above ordinary
requirements.
147
We shall now consider the framing of dietaries similar in type to Diet A
of the Jail Code, i.e., the combination of wheat and another cereal with pulse.
As these diets would be used during the period of the year when the different
food-stuffs are fresh—roughly from September to April, although barley might
have a longer period—there will be no necessity to provide for a much higher
level of nitrogenous metabolism than that shown on the average by the present
dietaries, viz., 11.286 grms. nitrogen per man daily.
DIET II.—WHEAT AND ANOTHER CEREAL WITH PULSE.
In this type of dietary we have open to us combinations of wheat with—
(a) Barley.
(b) Makka.
(c) Juar.
(d) Bajra.
(e) Marua.
We have therefore to work out the particular combinations of these food
materials with pulse that will satisfy the above conditions and provide a
sufficiency of the different proximate principles.
DIET II ( a).—WHEAT, BARLEY AND PULSE COMBINATION.
Wheat
8 chittacks . 8.91520 grms. nitrogen.
Total value 15.95452
grms.
Barley
3
„
. 2.48922 „
„
Arhar
2
„ . 4.05010 „
„
Vegetables 3
„
. 0.50000 „
„
The absorption from this diet will be 12.40259 grms. nitrogen, or 77.74
per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
This amount provides slightly over 1 grm. of nitrogen more undergoing
metabolism than the average amount of the present dietaries, and thus affords
a good measure of reserve.
Contrasted with the average of the present dietaries we get :—
Average of present dietaries.
Suggested Diet II ( a).
Nitrogen offered .
.
16.7292 grms.
15.95452 grms.
„ a b s o r b e d
.
11.2860 „
12.40259 „
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
77.74 per cent.
„ wasted
.
32.6 „ „
22.26 „ „
Carbohydrate offered
.
625.0 grms.
560.44 grms.
Heat value
.
3,260 calories
2,920 calories.
Calories per kilo of body-
weight.
60 „
54 „
Diet II ( a) is therefore superior under every heading to the average of
the present dietaries.
148
DIET II (b).—WHEAT, MAKKA AND PULSE COMBINATION.
Wheat
. 7 chittacks
. 7.80080 grms. nitrogen
Total value 15.9564 grms.
nitrogen.
Makka
. 4
, , . 3.55340 ,,
, ,
Urid dal . 1 chittack
. 2.07715 „
,,
Arhar
. 1
„
. 2.02505 „
,,
Vegetables . 3 chittacks
. 0.50000 „
, ,
The absorption from this diet will be 12.20546 grms. nitrogen, or 76.50
per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
This amount provides slightly under 1 grm. of nitrogen more undergoing
metabolism than the average of the present dietaries, and thus affords a good
measure of reserve. Besides this the protein absorption from makka is calcu-
lated at 67.5 per cent. which is probably rather below the mark.
Urid has been introduced in the diet to assist in the cooking of the makka,
but we do not believe this is really necessary; maize or Indian meal blends
quite well with wheat flour and forms a most palatable bread. It is open
therefore to Superintendents to substitute one chittack of arhar dal for urid;
if this be done the absorption from the diet will be increased to 12.4691 grms.
of nitrogen, or 78.1 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet, providing over
1 grm. of nitrogen more than the present dietaries.
We shall, however, leave the diet as arranged, giving Superintendents the
option of modifying it in the manner stated.
Contrasted with the average of the present dietaries we get:—
Average of present
dietaries.
Suggested Diet
II ( b ).
Nitrogen offered
.
16.7292 grms.
15.9564 grms.
,, absorbed
.
11.2860 „
12.20546 ,,
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
76.5 per cent.
,, wasted
.
32.6 ,,
23.5 ,, ,,
Carbohydrate offered
.
625.0 grms.
540.0 grms.
Heat value
.
3 , 2 6 0 c a l o r i e s
2,810 calories.
Calories per kilo of
body-weight.
.
60 ,,
52 ,,
Diet II ( b) therefore is superior under every heading to the average of the
present dietaries.
DIET II (c).—WHEAT, JUAR AND PULSE COMBINATION.
Wheat
. 8 chittacks . 8.9152 grms. nitrogen.
Total value 16.3191
grms. nitrogen.
Juar
. 4
,,
. 2.8538
,,
,,
Arhar
. 2
,,
. 4.0501
,,
,,
Vegetables . 3
,
. 0.5000 ,,
,,
149
The absorption from this diet will be 12.48136 grms. nitrogen, or 76.5 per
cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
Reference to serial No. 36, where a diet of this type was investigated, will
show even a better percentage of protein absorption than we calculate for this
diet, viz., 77.6 per cent.
The protein absorption from this diet provides just 1.2 grms. of the
nitrogen per man daily more than is derived from the average of the present
dietaries, thus affording a good measure of reserve.
Some Superintendents prefer to give urid dal when juar forms part of the
diet. There is no necessity for doing so when wheat and juar are given in
combination. We have cooked this type of dietary hundreds of times and
never found any difficulty. However, there is nothing further against urid dal
entering into its composition than that it means a certain degree of lowering of
the relative and absolute protein absorption ; so that, if Superintendents desire,
they could replace 1 chittack of arhar by a like quantity of urid dal. The
effect or this would be to reduce the protein absorption to 12.2177 grms.
nitrogen, or 74.6 per cent. of the nitrogen of the diet.
We shall, however, leave the diet as arranged, giving Superintendents the
option of substituting 1 chittack of urid dal for a similar quantity of arhar, if
they so desire.
Contrasted with the average of the present dietaries we get :—
Average of present
dietaries.
Suggested Diet
II (c).
Nitrogen offered
.
16.7292 grms.
16.3191 grms.
,, absorbed
.
11.2860 „
12.48136 „
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
76.5 per cent.
,, wasted
.
32.6 ,,
23.5 ,,
Carbohydrate offered
.
625.0 grms.
584.1 grms.
Heat value
3,260 calories
3,056 calories.
Calories per kilo of
body-weight.
.
60 ,,
56.6 ,,
Diet II (c) therefore is superior under every heading to the average of the
present dietaries. The carbohydrates and caloric value are too high, but it is
impossible to get these lower without upsetting the balance of the diet by
increasing the quantity of the pulses at the expense of a cereal ; thus
repeating the mistake of the present dietaries.
DIET II (d ) 1—WHEAT, BAJRA AND PULSE COMBINATION.
Wheat
. 8 chittacks . 8.91520 grms. nitrogen.
Total value
16.70986 grms.
nitrogen.
Bajra .
. 4
„
. 3.24456
„
,,
Arhar .
. 2
„
. 4.05010
„
,,
Vegetables . 3
„
. 0°50000
„
,,
150
The absorption from this diet will be 12.5716 grms. nitrogen, or 75.2 per
cent. of the nitrogen of the diet. See also serial No. 45.
This amount provides almost 1.3 grms. of nitrogen per man daily more
than that of the average of the present dietaries.
Urid dal is sometimes given when bajra forms part of a diet. Our ex-
periments have not shown any necessity for this, when bajra and wheat are
given combined as in above. However, it may be left to the option of
Superintendents to give 1 chittack each of arhar and urid dals, instead of 2
chittacks of arhar. The effect of doing so would be to lower the relative and
absolute absorption of protein to 12.30794 grms. nitrogen, or 73.4 per cent. of
the nitrogen of the diet.
We shall, however, leave the diet as arranged, giving Superintendents the
option of modifying it in this manner if considered advisable.
The diet can stand the substitution of 1 chittack of urid for the same
amount of arhar dal, so far as the level of protein metabolism is concerned ;
but it brings the amount of protein waste above 26 per cent., which we consi-
der too high, we therefore do not recommend the change.
Contrasted with the level of the present dietaries we get :—
Average of present
dietaries.
Suggested Diet
II (d)1.
Nitrogen offered . .
16.7292 grms.
16.70986 grms.
, , a b s o r b e d
.
11.2860 „
12.5716 „
Percentage absorbed
.
67.4 per cent.
75.2 per cent.
, , w a s t e d
.
32.6 „
24.8 „
Carbohydrate offered
.
625.0 grms.
598.3 grms.
Heat value.
. .
3,260 calories
3,168 calories.
Calories per kilo of body-
weight.
60 ,,
58.7 „
Diet II ( d) 1 therefore is superior under every heading to the average of the
present dietaries. The carbohydrates and caloric values are distinctly too high
and require reduction. It is possible that a better combination would be—
wheat 8 chittacks with bajra 3 chittacks than as above, this would give
a protein metabolism of 12.1709 grms. nitrogen, or 76.5 per cent. of nitrogen
of diet.
It would reduce the carbohydrates by 42.67 grms. to 555.63 grms., the heat
value by 175 calories to 2,993 calories, and the calories per kilo of body-weight
to 55.4 calories. Physiologically it appears to us a better diet and amply
sufficient to meet the requirements of the body. The only point against it
is that if urid dal were substituted for half the arhar dal, the level of protein
metabolism would fall below 12 grms. of nitrogen per man daily, viz., to
11.9072 grms. It is our objec t in framing these dietaries to arrange the