Pulse-Kate. 



135 



Table 53. Comparison of pulse-rate by subject with pulse-rate by pneumograph 



or stethoscope. 



1 After Dec. 9, 190S, stethoscope was used. 



2 No record (with stethoscope) from ll h 10"' a. m. to 12 u 30'" p. m. 



PULSE-RATE AS INDEX OF METABOLISM. 



Many of the experiments made by us thus far indicate that under varying 

 conditions of muscular activity and diet, the pulse-rate is more or less parallel 

 to the total metabolism. While it can not be stated as a definitely fixed rule 

 that a given pulse-rate accompanies a given metabolism, it has been shown 

 in a discussion in a previous report that with the same subject, under like 

 conditions of muscular activity, the pulse-rate during a 7-day fast appeared 

 to be an excellent index of the total metabolism. When it is realized that 

 the pulse-rate as counted in those experiments was obtained by the subject, 

 and hence liable to some error, it is seen that the opinion there expressed that 

 there should be a more careful study of the relationship between pulse and 

 total metabolism, can not be over-emphasized. Even if the body is quiet and 

 without food, two very important factors in the total metabolism are the internal 

 muscular work and muscular tonus. At present the most practical method 

 of measuring internal muscular work, or tonus, or more properly speaking, 

 the most practical method of measuring differences in the internal muscular 

 work or tonus is by measuring the pulse-rate. 



It appears, therefore, that in metabolism experiments in the future, special 

 attention should be paid to accurate continuous records of the pulse-rate, as 

 10 



