12 VITALITY AND EFFICIENCY WITH RESTRICTED DIET. 



The next evidence obtained in the Nutrition Laboratory of a pro- 

 nounced decrease in the metaboUsm was the metaboUc condition subse- 

 quent to the Allen fasting treatment for diabetes. In an extensive 

 series of observations on metabolism in diabetes made in this Labo- 

 ratory in conjunction with Dr. Elliott P. Joslin, cases of severe diabetes 

 of the acid type showed high metabolism when compared with groups 

 of normal individuals of like height and weight. After a few days' 

 fasting under the remarkable Allen fasting treatment, the acidosis dis- 

 appeared and the previously existing high metabolism was followed by 

 a striking decrease in metabolism to far below that of the controls. 

 This fall in the metaboUsm was found in so many cases that it may be 

 considered as thoroughly established. It was subsequently verified by 

 Du Bois in direct calorimetric observations. It may naturally be 

 inferred that the cases of severe diabetes represent extreme emaciation 

 or inanition, and hence it is appropriate to compare them with the 

 man who fasted 31 days. From the diet charts of these patients after 

 the Allen fasting treatment we find surprisingly low food-intakes. Yet 

 these individuals are not moribund ; they are able to be about the hos- 

 pital, perform their own urinary tests, attend conferences, and engage 

 in exercise even to the extent of walking 3 or 4 miles per day. While 

 not rugged, they are by no means confined to bed, and yet they show 

 this extraordinarily low basal metabolism. It appears, therefore, that 

 with great loss of flesh there is a distinctly lower basal metabolism. We 

 accordingly have here a second clear index of a lower metabolic level. 



As a result of this long study of variations in basal metabolism and 

 the factors which depress metabolism, we thus found a lower basal level 

 only during fasting and with diabetics subsequent to the Allen fasting 

 treatment. Since our earlier researches produced such negative results, 

 it is incumbent upon us to examine previous studies interpreted as 

 signifying a depressed metabolism due to undernutrition or other con- 

 ditions and to present a critique of the results obtained. 



