A more careful consideration of this case seems desirable. It should be stated, however, at the outset that the value of 1,858 calories was based upon measurements made on one day only, although in two well-agreeing periods with the respiratory-valve apparatus. Until recently the experimenters in the Nutrition Laboratory have been inclined to consider the element of novelty a rather important one, inasmuch as the results obtained in the first experiment with a subject were liable, we believed, to be somewhat higher than normal. The recent experiments with Harvard Medical School students have completely disproved this contention, however, and a carefully conducted respiratory exchange experiment, with due allowance for a period of quiet prior to the actual gaseous metabolism test, should give values that are trustworthy. In every instance the subject should be lying down in complete muscular repose at least one-half hour before the metabolism experiments are made. This restriction obtained in the Springfield experiments as well as in those made with the Harvard Medical School students. Consequently we may not ascribe the high value here to the element of novelty. From table 80 we see that unquestionably Mon's pulse-rate was perceptibly higher on this particular day than those obtained for other days, the pulse-rate for this day being 69 beats per minute as compared with 59 beats per minute two days before. It so happens that Mon was a well-trained man, who had done a great deal of wrestline and was distinctly of an athletic type. He was somewhat older than the other men, and from his athletic training one might possibly expect a somewhat higher basal metabolism. His case, however, admirably illustrates the fact that an average normal basal metabolism from which individuals do not vary appreciably does not exist.

Table 113. - Normal Basal Metabolism Of Squad A, Prior To Reduction In Diet

1In computing the heat values for this subject, the respiratory quotient for October 5 (0.84) was used.

1Publisbed in abstract with data for members of Squad A by Harris and Benedict, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 279. 1919. p. 234. table 91. 2 Benedict and Smith. Journ. Biol. Chem.. 1915. 20. p. 243.

In analyzing the figures less than normal in the last column of table 113, we find that of these subjects Can was distinctly overweight and inclined to be fat, while Tom led by far the least athletic life of any man in the whole squad; both of these factors contribute, we believe, to lower the total metabolism. An explanation of the low values with Bro and Vea is not at hand.

A general inspection of the values in table 113, with the possible exception of Mon, leads one to believe that the subjects may be considered as normal individuals so far as their basal metabolism is concerned, with perhaps a slight tendency for an increase over the general average. While, as previously stated, this tendency to increase may be due to the fact that a relatively large number of these men were athletically inclined, it should also be noted that one of the most athletic was Pea, whose metabolism was but 43 calories above that predicted.

Before concluding the discussion of table 113 it is important to consider the variations in the heat per square meter of body-surface. The measurement of body-surface used for computing the heat production on this basis was made by means of the fully approved Du Bois height-weight chart and not based on the antiquated Meeh formula. The heat values thus computed range from 871 to 1,027 calories per square meter. The average value for all the men is 949 calories. Thus the metabolism of this squad of young healthy men, i. e., a reasonably homogeneous group, falls within the plus or minus 10 per cent range.

The basal metabolism of these men is of special value in connection with this research, not only in showing whether or not it is within normal limits, but for use as a standard to which subsequent metabolism measurements may be referred, to note alterations that may be produced by restricted diet. It is especially unfortunate that the basal metabolism could not have been established in a longer period of observation. Since, however, an analysis of the values given in table 113 shows that we have here no distinctly abnormal basal-metabolism measurements, (unless those of Mon should be so considered), any subsequent metabolism measurements may properly be compared with the basal level as here recorded, particularly when the squad is considered as a group. It is perfectly possible, therefore, to refer the subsequent measurements of metabolism of any given individual to his original basal value.

Group Measurement Of Resting Metabolism, Squads A And B

While the individual measurements of the basal metabolism given in a previous section may be used as a base-line to which subsequent values can be referred, we have also the heat output of the squad as a whole prior to diet restriction, which was obtained in the night experiments made with the Boston group respiration chamber in accordance with the previously described technique. (See p. 92).

Measurements were made with both Squads A and B. These extremely trying experiments were carried on throughout the night with the special assistance of Miss Alice Johnson and with the intelligent cooperation of the Misses Inza A. Boles, Mildred A. Corson, Mary F. Hendry, Mary D. Finn, and on two nights, Mrs. Dorothy A. Peabody. In addition we wish to acknowledge the services of Mr. George L. Wall, whose care and fidelity in the preparation and testing of the large number of sulphuric-acid and soda-lime bottles made it possible for us to carry out this lengthy series of experiments without a single loss due to defective reagents or faulty containers.

With Squad A the results of only one night basal experiment are available, since it was necessary to begin the diet restriction shortly after this experiment was made. With Squad P the results of a number of night experiments are available, as the men were brought to Boston at intermittent periods prior to the beginning of the diet study with this squad the first week in January. Hence we have an exceptionally good measure of the basal metabolism of Squad B on normal diet. It is furthermore of importance to note that this represents the only measurement of the normal basal metabolism of Squad B, since individual metabolism measurements for basal values were not obtained with these men, Ham being the only man in Squad B who was thus studied. Likewise, subsequent to dietetic restriction, no individual respiratory exchange experiments were made with any member of Squad B. Hence our whole interpretation of the gaseous metabolism of this squad is based solely upon the measurements made with the group respiration chamber. The measurements of Squad A, however, supply supplementary evidence regarding the basal metabolism, and the changes in metabolism induced by restricted diet.

Unfortunately the personnel of Squads A and B changed somewhat from night to night. An ideal plan would have been to have had always the same individuals throughout the entire period. This was impossible for a number of reasons, as illness, the drafts for military service, and other calls away from college interfered more or less with the use of the men as subjects. Hence it is important for us to consider primarily in discussing the values obtained with the group respiration chamber the values per kilogram of body-weight and per square meter of body-surface. On these bases the values are, considering the homogeneity of the group, reasonably comparable. The total amounts measured are not comparable, owing to differences in personnel and differences in weight.