10 METABOLISM AND GROWTH FROM BIRTH TO PUBERTY. 



TABLE 4. Minimum carbon-dioxide production and heat production of boys and girls 



(Sonden and Tigerstedt). 



1 In computing heat assumed respiratory quotient of 0.90. 



Usually the observations continued for periods of 4f hours. In 

 order to approximate the minimum value for comparison purposes, we 

 have tabulated only the absolute minimum found in the results. This 

 was done on the theory that this minimum value represents the actual 

 minimum metabolism during the period, for otherwise there would 

 be an error in the experimental technique, which is improbable in 

 view of the usual accuracy in experimentation of the Scandinavian 

 investigators. 1 



Recognizing the importance of obtaining data as nearly as possible 

 during complete muscular repose, Sonden and Tigerstedt likewise 

 made a few experiments with individuals who slept inside the respira- 

 tion chamber, these including two experiments with boys. The first 

 was made with a boy 11 years and 2 months old, weighing without 

 clothing 32 kg. The experiment began at 6 p.m. The subject ate 

 supper inside the chamber at 8 h 15 m p.m., took milk at 10 h 30 m p.m., 

 and then went immediately to bed. The carbon-dioxide excretion 

 was determined in 2-hour periods throughout the night. The mini- 

 mum values were found between 2 and 6 a.m., the values for the two 

 periods being 41 and 37 grams, respectively. The latter figure was 

 the absolute minimum value for the carbon-dioxide production per 

 2 hours. The second experiment was made with a boy 12 years of 

 age, weighing without clothing 38.3 kg. The experimental conditions 

 were almost identical with those of the first experiment; his last meal 

 prior to the experiment was at 4 p.m. He went to bed at 10 p.m. 

 The minimum carbon-dioxide production was found at 2 a.m., i. e., 

 40 grams per 2 hours. The carbon-dioxide excretion in the period 



1 For the one apparent pronounced exception to the usual extraordinary accuracy of the Sonden 

 and Tigerstedt technique, see critique of von Willebrand's work, page 14 of this monograph. 



