THE PROBLEM OF FOOD V 



For a man weighing 70 kilograms (n stones) the 

 following table indicates the daily energy require- 

 ment in calories: 



r> , . f = i calorie per kilo- 



Basal, in sleep ... ... ... ITOOK 



I gram per hour. 



Basal, awake, but lying at rest... 2100 

 Sedentary occupation ... ... 2500 



Light work ... ... ... 3000 



Moderate work ... ... ... 3500 



Heavy work ... ... ... 4000 and upwards to 



9000 in special cases. 



Since the basal consumption is always present, for 

 the work of the heart, respiration, and maintenance of 

 temperature, and is proportional to the weight of the 

 individual, while the energy consumed for an equal 

 amount of external work is the same whatever the 

 weight, within wide limits, it follows, as Lusk has 

 pointed out, that workers of small weight, other 

 things equal, are more economical machines than 

 those of heavy weight. 



The American Commission for Relief in Belgium 

 arrived at a minimal supply of 2000 calories, to be 

 supplemented by each person according to oppor- 

 tunity. The table shows that 2000 is just about the 

 bare amount required to keep body and soul together, 

 so that when failure of transport reduced the supply 

 below this value, as happened in Lille, the death 

 rate immediately began to rise. 



The composition of a normal diet for moderate 

 work is generally taken to be : 



Protein 100 grm. = 400 calories. 



Fat ... ... ... 100 ,, = 900 ,, 



Carbohydrate ... 500 ,, = 2000 ,, 



Total ... 3300 ,, 



If more be taken, it is merely wasted, or laid on as 

 fat. We sometimes hear of a "fine, healthy appe- 



