328 Influence of Inanition on Metabolism. 



pounds, 1 pound being equivalent to 453.6 grams. An attempt was made to 

 obtain data regarding the rapidity of the onset of fatigue by having the subject 

 test the strength of the hand muscles with the dynamometer in a series of 5 to 

 7 tests, first with the right hand, and then with the left. In all the experiments 

 except No. 79 and No. 80 the tests were taken in succession, finishing the 

 set on one hand before beginning the tests on the other. At certain times 

 only 3 and 4 consecutive observations were taken, while at other times 6 and 

 even 7 tests were made, and hence the averages are not strictly comparable. 



An examination of the data in table 191 shows that as a rule the strength 

 decreases rapidly at the beginning of the fast and is almost immediately, in part 

 at least, regained with the ingestion of food. 



In experiment No. 89 there was a marked increase in strength on the first 

 day of fasting, followed by a slight loss on the second day. The effect of the 

 subsequent ingestion of food in increasing the strength is not as noticeable 

 in this experiment as in others. This is doubtless due to the small loss observed 

 in the fasting period. 



The records were not made at sufficiently frequent intervals to draw any 

 particular conclusions regarding the fluctuations in the strength for different 

 periods of the day. In general, the observations accord with the conclusions 

 of Mosso and Maggiora with the ergograph, namely, that as the fast progresses 

 there is a noticeable falling off in the strength as measured by the hand dyna- 

 mometer. After renewed ingestion of food, the strength is rapidly regained. 

 The apparent onset of fatigue seems in general to be somewhat more rapid as 

 the fast progresses, but the data are not sufficient to warrant any positive state- 

 ments on this point. 



