METABOLISM AS AFFECTED BY GROWTH. 



135 



metabolism figures for boys and girls as to sexual differentiation. 

 By design, our observations included a relatively large number of girls, 

 and therefore provide sufficient points for special chart treatment. 

 The total metabolism of the girls referred to age is depicted in figure 23. 

 The total number of points is essentially the same as for boys, and for 

 the most part end prior to puberty. Beyond the age of 11 years, the 

 values are much scattered and but four points are available. One 

 of these points, that for a girl 12 years and 1 month old, is the same 

 child as that indicated by the point for 11 years. At both ages the 

 points are specially designated for convenience in comparison of the 

 metabolism before and after the establishment of puberty. This 

 difference in metabolism is discussed in a later section. (See page 183.) 



Cals. 



TOTAL CALORIES REFERRED TO AGE. 



GIRLS. 



FIG. 23. Basal heat production of girls per 24 hours referred to age. 



Points inclosed in squares signify puberty established. For No. 239 compare point inclosed in 

 diamond (prepubescence) with point inclosed in square at 12 years 1 month (puberty). 



The sharp rise in the total metabolism in the first year of growth is 

 shown in figure 23, as well as the general steady increase thereafter. 

 The smoothed curve does not fit the points quite so satisfactorily as 

 with the boys, since between the ages of 2 and 4 years there is clearly 

 an alteration in the general trend, which is not noticeable with the boys. 

 This requires a slight alteration in the direction of the line, but again 

 it must be remembered that this line is purely hypothetical and may 

 not be looked upon as indicating a definite regularity in metabolism, 

 but only the general trend. 



While only a superficial inspection can be given these charts for 

 boys and girls, there seems to be a general tendency for the points to 

 group themselves somewhat more closely about the general line with 

 the boys than with the girls. 



