BASAL METABOLISM. 103 



Our study of the results of this series has thus far been based solely 

 upon the data obtained regarding the carbon-dioxide production, 

 but a more logical basis of discussion for changes in metabolism is to 

 be found in the values for the oxygen consumption. These are recorded 

 in table 38. Certain data obtained under special abnormal conditions, 

 as an experimentally induced acidosis, are of course excluded, and so far 

 as we are aware the figures given may properly be used for basal values. 



The averages at the bottom of the table show that the oxygen 

 consumption per period as the day advanced remained noticeably 

 constant. The highest average (246 c.c.) is that for the first period; the 

 lowest average (235 c.c.) is found for the sixth period. Inasmuch as 

 the average values for the seventh and eighth periods are materially 

 higher than the average found for the sixth period, it is reasonable to 

 consider that the oxygen consumption of H. L. H. shows no general 

 trend toward a decrease in the metabolism, as the measurements con- 

 tinued from 8 a. m. to midday. This conclusion is further justified 

 by the fact that the mean variation from the general average is only 

 9 c.c. The mean variations for the individual periods, as shown in 

 the last line of the table, agree satisfactorily and give evidence of 

 uniformity in the experimental conditions and accuracy of the experi- 

 mental work. 



The average oxygen consumption of this man over a period of five 

 years, as shown by the general average, is 241 c.c. The averages in the 

 extreme right-hand column indicate that the oxygen consumption, 

 like the carbon-dioxide production, had no general tendency to alter in 

 value as time progressed, with the single exception of a group of five 

 experiments from September 20 to 24, 1911, inclusive. On those 

 days the values approached very closely to an average of 270 c.c. 

 During these five days the subject, although in a post-absorptive 

 condition during the observations, was living on a diet containing a 

 liberal amount of protein and fat but only 125 grams of carbohydrate. 1 

 This diet was sufficiently low in carbohydrates to alter the metabolism 

 of the subject materially. We do not feel justified, however, in 

 omitting the results from the table. 



It may be stated, therefore, that with the subject H. L. H. the 

 a verage values for both the carbon-dioxide production and oxygen con- 

 sumption were notably constant, both from period to period and during 

 a period of five years, but that the individual values varied considerably 

 at times. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH L. E. E. 



Another series of experiments was carried out with Mr. L.E. Emmes, 

 who has also long been associated with this laboratory. This series 

 extended from April 26, 1909, to July 29, 1915, inclusive, all but one 



Benedict and Higgins, Am. Journ. Physiol., 1912, 30, p. 217. 



