70 A BIOMETRIC STUDY OF BASAL METABOLISM IN MAN. 



and 136 men and 103 women. Of the adult records, those for 47 men 

 and 35 women are published here for the first time. 



C. To test the normality of our series of data, upon which physio- 

 logical generalizations are to be based. 



In considering this problem we have emphasized a conception of 

 normality which differs somewhat from that heretofore maintained 

 by other students of metabolism. 



1. Realizing that practically the greatest importance of a knowl- 

 edge of the basal metabolism of the normal individual is for the calcu- 

 lation of the 24 hours' requirement of the healthy individual and for 

 the establishment of control values to be used as a basis for conclusions 

 concerning the influence of special conditions or the incidence of specific 

 diseases on metabolism, we have made it a condition of inclusion in 

 our series that the individual be in presumably good health. 



2. Since the populations which must be considered in rationing 

 problems are made up of physically varied individuals, it is essential 

 that any generalization which shall be applicable to these populations 

 be grounded on series of individuals showing like range of physical 

 dimensions. Since individuals in the hospital ward do not conform 

 to any individual physiologists conception of "the normal man," but 

 represent the entire range of physical dimensions and proportions, the 

 non-pathological controls which are to be used as a basis of comparison 

 should show a comparable range of physical dimensions and proportions. 



3. Since some of the theoretical physiological problems to be con- 

 sidered have to do with the relationship between variations in physical 

 characteristics and physiological activities, it is essential that the sub- 

 jects investigated show average dimensions and variability and 

 correlation of dimensions typical of men and women as a class. 



Thus, when we speak of a series of normal individuals we do not 

 mean a group of men similar to the figures in the Laocoon or a group 

 of women conforming to the Venus of Milo, but those who are in pre- 

 sumably good health and otherwise are typical of men or women of 

 the same race as the anthropologist knows them. With such a concep- 

 tion of normality it is impossible to discard individuals merely because 

 they are too heavy in proportion to their stature or too tall in propor- 

 tion to their weight. 



On the other hand, it is of course quite as unallowable to form 

 standard series containing disproportionate numbers of very fat or 

 very lean individuals, as it is to discard both of these extremes and 

 include only those of average proportions. 



The "normality" of such series must be judged by comparison of 

 their statistical constants with those of men and women at large. 

 Such criteria have been applied to the data discussed in this volume. 



This conception of normality must, we believe, be generally ac- 

 cepted if investigations of human metabolism are to yield the results 

 of the greatest theoretical interest and practical importance. 



