PREFACE. 



The primary Gbject of this report is to present an accurate statement of 

 the results of experiments on the effect of inanition on metabolism made with 

 a number of men in the chemical laboratory of Wesleyan University, Middle- 

 town, Connecticut. It is believed that physiology and physiological chemistry 

 will be best served by presenting the data accurately and in sufficient detail 

 rather than to sacrifice the protocols for a discussion that at best can be but 

 inadequate. The accumulation of the experimental data, the computation of 

 the results, and the preparation of this report have been made possible only 

 by the fidelity and loyalty of my associates. 



Mr. T. M. Carpenter, in immediate supervision of the greater number of 

 the respiration calorimeter experiments, has conducted these most wearisome 

 experiments with unusual success. 



Mr. H. A. Pratt, aside from rendering valuable assistance in the chemical 

 laboratory, has superintended the computations and tabulations, and the entire 

 report has received his helpful editorial criticism. 



Mr. E. M. Swett acted as physical and chemical assistant and superintended 

 the determinations of the heats of combustion with the bomb calorimeter. 



Miss Charlotte E. Manning had charge of all the gas analyses, carbon and 

 hydrogen combustions, creatinine determinations, and the analyses of food. 



Mr. E. E. Fulton made all the determinations of sulphur and phosphorus. 



Mr. F. P. Fletcher acted as physical assistant in the later series of calo- 

 rimeter experiments. 



Messrs. J. A. Eiche and E. E. Hartman assisted in the chemical and physical 

 measurements. 



Mr. W. H. Leslie, Miss A. N". Darling, and Mr. H. C. Morgan have had a 

 large share in the tabulation of the results of the experiments and in the final 

 preparation of the report. 



The stenographic work was in charge of Miss A. 1ST. Darling, who was ably 

 assisted by Miss M. K. Falsey. 



Aside from a corps of students, special mention should be made of the 

 assistance in the computations rendered by Messrs. H. L. Knight and F. W. 

 Harder and Misses H. W. Atwater, E. J. Wright, and H. L. Ailing. 



It is a great pleasure to express my deep sense of obligation to all of these 

 co-workers in the conduct and presentation of the results of experiments that 

 call forth all the patience and accuracy of the trained chemist, physicist, and 

 computer. 



