INFLUENCE OF SEX ON METABOLISM. 



183 



sistently higher than that for girls and women. While new data on 

 the uncertain period between the weights of 30 and 45 kg. may some- 

 what modify these general curves, nevertheless it appears clearly 

 established that males have on the whole a higher metabolism than 



44kgs.48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 



FIG. 54. Basal heat production of men per square meter of body-surface 

 per 24 hours referred to body- weight. 



females. When we compare the calories per kilogram referred to 

 weight and the calories per square meter referred to weight, it can be 

 seen that after a weight of about 14 kg. the differences between the 

 two sexes remain almost uniformly constant throughout the entire 

 weight-range. 



Cats. 

 1050 



950 

 850 

 750 



650 



CALORIES PER SQ. M. REFERRED TO WEIGHT. 



WOMEN. 



36kgs.40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 



FIG. 55. Basal heat production of women per square meter of body-surface 

 per 24 hours referred to body-weight. 



METABOLISM IN PREPUBESCENCE. 



Any discussion of the sexual differences between boys and girls 

 would be incomplete without reference to the important transforma- 

 tion in sexual life taking place at the tune of puberty, a transformation 

 that, in the minds of a number of writers, has been clearly apparent 

 in the course of the general total metabolism. Even the early studies 

 of Andral and Gavarret 1 gave this factor serious attention, but un- 

 fortunately their data are too meager to be of much value at this time. 

 In 1916 there appeared the first of two remarkable papers by Dr. E. F. 

 Du Bois, 2 of New York, in which the metabolism at the period of 

 development of boys immediately preceding puberty was studied. 

 The importance of the problem under consideration can be no better 

 set forth than by quoting the initial paragraph of this paper. 



1 Andral and Gavarret, Ann. d. Chim. et d. Phys., 1843, ser. 3, 8, p. 129. 

 * Du Bois, Arch. Intern. Med., 1916, 17, p. 887. 



