228 



REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



in a series of curves. The record of a single experiment with a baby is 

 given in the table herewith . 



The graphic record accompanying this test showed 

 Novembe?l6?^i9n. that the pulsc-ratc and the carbon-dioxide production 



y3!?.V"*^4;,^-^^"°^- were very closely identified with the muscular activity 



Age, 7J^ months. .,.-',-', , , -' 



as indicated on a kymograph drum. 

 In conclusion the authors state : 



"Although the results of our investigations on the 

 whole are not yet ready for publication, we feel con- 

 vinced of the importance of considering in all subse- 

 quent metabolism experiments the pulse-rate of the in- 

 fant, and particularly the degree of muscular activity. 

 The enormous variations in the total metabolism as af- 

 fected by what might otherwise appear to be slight 

 muscular activity are such as to lead us to question 

 seriously all experiments made in 24-hour periods, and 

 we wish to assert that all metabolism experiments on 

 infants made without known controlled pulse-rates and 



without graphic records of muscular activity are lessened enormously in value 



by the absence of these important factors." 



(10) A study of metabolism in severe diabetes. Francis G. Benedict and Elliott P. 

 Joslin. Publication No. 176, Carnegie Institution of Washington. 1912. (In 

 press.) 



Since the publication of the earlier results of the investigation on diabetes 

 mellitus (Publication No. 136 of the Carnegie Institution of Washington), a 

 considerable amount of research has been carried out with especial reference 

 to the metabolism in severe cases of diabetes. The results of the later in- 

 vestigation are reported in this publication, and include experimental data 

 regarding 17 cases, 6 of which were also studied in the earlier part of the 

 research. Of these 17 cases, all but 3 are classified as "severe diabetes." 

 The apparatus and methods used were substantially the same as those pre- 

 viously employed, except that the sugar in the urine of the diabetics was 

 determined by an improved method which was specially devised by Dr. A. W. 

 Peters for the purpose ; a description of this method is given. 



In this later investigation the attempt was made to study the individual 

 cases more systematically and completely, at least three of the cases being 

 carefully observed over a considerable period of time. The clinical history 

 of each case is given, with complete details of the experiments. The pulse- 

 rate, body-temperature, body-weight, nitrogen excretion, and gaseous metab- 

 olism are discussed in some detail, considerable attention being given to 

 body-weight. Since loss of weight is a marked feature of diabetes, and 

 these changes should be interpreted intelligently, the fluctuations in body- 

 weight of normal individuals are considered at some length; a comparison 

 is also made of the body-weights of the diabetic subjects in health with 

 those in disease, and data given regarding the loss in weight of some 200 

 diabetics. To obtain evidence as to whether or not the metabolism is in- 

 creased in diabetes, the results secured with the individual subjects are com- 

 pared with the data found in experiments with one or more normal indi- 

 viduals who were comparable in body-weight and height. Comparisons are 

 also made of the metabolism of diabetics with varying degree of severity and 

 under varying conditions as to the intensity of the acidosis, thus giving 



