316 Influence of Inanition on Metabolism. 



Jacques, and Luciani (4) and Daiber 19 on Succi, but contrary to the conclusion 

 drawn by Hoover & Sollman (8), Senator & Mueller (7) studying Breithaupt, 

 Jurgensen, and Benedict & Snell." 



Upon the ingestion of food after fasting, the body temperature tends to rise. 

 This rise is evident in all the experiments with food here reported, but is 

 particularly noticeable in experiment No. 70, where the rise is continuous for 

 the three days of the experiment. 



It is obvious, however, that the average temperature for the third day (38.22 

 C.) indicates a febrile condition and hence the temperature observation for this 

 day can not be considered normal. In experiment No. 76, the average tempera- 

 tures are likewise slightly above those of experiment No. 75, although it is 

 evident that the defective method of averaging in both series of experiments 

 might readily account for this difference. 



The observations given in table 190 indicate that during short fasts no 

 noticeable disturbances between thermogenesis and thermolysis can be observed. 

 They are furthermore of specific value in furnishing data for computing the 

 total heat production according to the formula discussed on page 49. 



PULSE RATE. 



As an index of the variations in the degree of muscular activity the pulse 

 rate is of great value. Even in experiments where the external muscular 

 activity is reduced to a minimum the pulse rate may be of greatest service in 

 furnishing a clue to the degree of internal muscular activity, muscular tonus, 

 etc. The heat production, carbon dioxide elimination, and oxygen consumption 

 vary within wide limits from experiment to experiment, and indeed from day 

 to day of the same experiment. It therefore becomes very important to secure 

 all possible data regarding the intensity of metabolism for the fullest under- 

 standing of the phenomena of fasting. It is for this reason probably that 

 in some of the earlier fasting experiments on record we find more or less 

 complete observations regarding the pulse rate. 



The oldest observation on the pulse rate during fasting is that of Nicholson 

 (1), who, without giving any exact data, states that the heart sounds of the 

 fasting prisoner under his care became rather faint and the pulse soft and 

 slow. 



Luciani (4) took Succi's pulse twice each day. The subject was resting 

 quietly in bed, save on one occasion when he had returned from an evening visit 

 with friends. The pulse remained, in practically all cases, between the limits 

 of 54 and 70 beats per minute. On the occasion referred to above the pulse 

 had risen to 85. No decrease was noted as the fast progressed. 



Senator & Mueller (7) made observations on Cetti and Breithaupt twice 

 daily. Cetti's pulse when resting varied from 68 to 92, while Breithaupt's 



"Loc. cit. : Loc. cit. 



