132 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



body equilibrium and nitrogen equilibrium on a low proteid diet for 

 a brief period, it is necessary, in order to have the results of phj's- 

 iological value, for the experiments to be conducted not simply for 

 a few days or weeks, but through months and years. Consequently 

 the experiments, which are now concluded, have extended with 

 some individuals over a year, and all have covered at least six 

 months of time. 



The results obtained with these twenty-six individuals all agree 

 in showing that there is no justifiable ground for the assumption 

 that an adult man of average body- weight needs 118 grams of pro- 

 teid food for the maintenance of health, strength, and vigor. On 

 the contrary, it has been clearly demonstrated that it is quite pos- 

 sible to maintain bodj'-weight and to preserve nitrogen equilibrium 

 with an amount of proteid food per day equal to not more than 50 

 per cent that called for by the ordinarily accepted dietary standards. 



Further, the experiments have clearly demonstrated that this con- 

 dition of nitrogen equilibrium can be maintained without increasing 

 the amount of non-nitrogenous food consumed daily. An average 

 intake of 7 to 9 grams of nitrogen per daj^ with a total fuel value 

 of the food amounting to 2,500 to 2,800 calories, was found quite 

 sufficient to maintain body-weight and nitrogen equilibrium. In 

 other words, a metabolism of less than 50 grams of proteid per day was 

 quite sufficient for the needs of the body. In some cases even smaller 

 quantities of proteid food sufficed to meet all the physiological re- 

 quirements of the individual. The experiments also showed that 

 with this low nitrogen intake there was a marked gain in bodily 

 strength, as indicated by appropriate dynamometer tests. Further, 

 the condition of the blood as regards the number of erythrocytes, 

 leucocytes, and haemoglobin-content was not altered by the low 

 nitrogen intake. Moreover, there was no loss of mental vigor or 

 change in reaction time. 



All the details of the experiments, together with the various data 

 and conclusions, are embodied in a report now in type, making a 

 volume of about 500 pages, which will be ready for distribution 



within a few weeks. 



• 



Arthur Gamgee, Martreux, Switzerland. Grant No. 62. For pre- 

 paring a report on the physiology of 7iutrition . $6,500. 



No report received. 



