Chart 12 shows how a larger increase of food does not increase the gain in weight but slightly. An energy quotient of 150 calories was too large. She was a large baby to begin with and her growth was uninterrupted. These were graduates, and the curves show their food and weight during certain periods of their life. Again, we notice that an energy quotient of about 120 to 130 calories is most satisfactory.
Higher quantities give rise to indigestion.
When the energy quotient is the same, and digestion is perfect it is impossible to draw any distinction between modified cows' milk and human milk in these older babies. The use of the energy quotient as a basis of infant feeding is entirely practicable. An energy quotient of 70 calories should be considered the minimum for maintaining the metabolic equilibrium. In many cases a steady growth may be obtained on this alimentation. Most premature infants require human milk having an energy quotient of 100 to 120 calories in order to insure a steady gain in weight.