124 METABOLISM AND GROWTH FROM BIRTH TO PUBERTY. 



The individual points in these charts are so numerous as to produce 

 curves that are by no means smoothed. The general trend of the 

 body-weight curves of both Nos. 139 and 171 is that of a progressive 

 increase, as is common with a normal infant. The total calories per 

 24 hours fully substantiate the general line noted for No. 145, namely, 

 a rather rapid rise until about 2 years of age, after which there is a 

 tendency for a clearly defined rise, although at a somewhat slower rate. 



Cals 



per 



eq m. 



1325 



1225 



Tola! 

 cals. 

 800 H25 



700 1025 



Kga. 

 600 16 



500 14 



No.139(F.)r 



FIG. 16. Body-weight, pulse-rate, and basal heat production per 24 hours 



(Nos. 171 and 139). 



While emphasis must again be laid upon the inherent errors in the 

 measurement of individual periods, an attempt has been made to 

 select only such points as were fully substantiated by the results for 

 another period on the same day or on the day immediately preceding 

 or following. Consequently in these charts the individual points can 

 for the most part be considered as truly representative of the metabolic 

 plane at the time of measurement. A high point in the total calories 

 is never based upon a single experimental period. This is emphasized 

 to bring out the fact that with children the regularity in the heat 

 production from day to day is not perfect on any basis, and rather 

 considerable fluctuations may normally be expected to obtain, even 

 in periods with complete muscular repose and (though not with a 

 true post-absorptive condition) at least with the influence of food very 

 considerably minimized. 



The calories per kilogram of body-weight for these two children 

 (Nos. 139 and 171) show a fall (as the weight and age increase) quite 

 in conformity with that noted with No. 145. The calories per square 

 meter of body-surface for both the children show a maximum occurring 

 from about 1 year 4 months to 1^ years, and a tendency towards a fall 

 thereafter. With No. 171, for example, the maximum value is 1,425 



