400 



Influence of Inanition on Metabolism. 



Of the 5 experiments, which lasted 3 days or more, the excretion for the 

 third day was lowest in No. 77, i. e., 1.709 grams, and highest in No. 69, 2.089 

 grams. The average for the 5 experiments was 1.867 grams, which indicates 

 on the whole a still greater increase in the output as the fasts progressed. In 

 fact, in all of the 5 experiments which lasted 3 days and over, the excretion 

 was higher on the third than on the second day. 



Table 208. Total sulphur (as SOJ excreted in urine in metabolism experiments 



without food. 



1 Does not include possible amount in urine lost. 



There were 5 experiments in which the fast continued for 4 days or more. 

 The output ranges from 1.651 grams in experiment No. 77 to 1.971 grams in 

 experiment No. 69. In every instance there was a decrease from the amount 

 excreted on the third day. 



Observations regarding the fifth day of the fast are found in but 2 experi- 

 ments, Nos. 73 and 75. In No. 73, the excretion was 1.765 grams, a slight 

 increase over the fourth day, while in experiment No. 75, the excretion was 

 somewhat less than on the fourth day, i. e., 1.668 grams. 



The sulphur trioxide excretion for the sixth and seventh days of experiment 

 No. 75 showed a slight but persistent decrease. It is interesting to note that 

 the excretion on the seventh day was almost identical with the excretion of the 

 first day of experiment No. 75. 



Considering, then, the results as obtained from these experiments, it is seen 

 that the excretion of sulphur increases on the second day. There is an increase 

 on the third day and a steady diminution on the succeeding days of the fast. 



Ratio of nitrogen to total sulphur. Since practically all the sulphur in the 

 urine results from the katabolism of protein, a parallelism in the excretion of 



