77 



the averaj^e for the whole group, namely, 88 grains of protein and 

 2,767 calories of energ3\ 



While the patients in these studies included a few at light work, it 

 is doubtful if the average amount of muscular activity would be any 

 greater than that of the average normal individual with "little exer- 

 cise." The dietary standard given in the table above for men under 

 such circumstances calls for 90 grams of protein and 2,450 calories of 

 energy per day. If the bodily demands of these patients for nourish- 

 ment were dependent upon their muscular activity, it would seem from 

 such a comparison that they were very well nourished. Among the 

 studies in the New York hospitals the group most nearly similar to 

 these was that designated as "light workers and disturbed." The 

 average consumption in studies with such patients was 73 grams of 

 protein and 2,255 calories of energy per man per day, which was con- 

 siderably below the average for these patients at the Government hos- 

 pital. The patients of this class, as of others in the New York hos- 

 pitals, had all the food they wanted; indeed, generally speaking, much 

 more was served to them than they cared to eat, and there were no 

 indications of underfeeding. 



In the three studies in the second group in the table above the patients 

 were so nearly of the same general class that it would be expected 

 that the food consumption in one study would not ditfer greatly fi'om 

 that in another. The results as actually observed showed a range of 

 protein from 65 to 104 grams, and of energy from 2,255 to 2,877 

 calories. Such differences, of 40 grams of protein and 600 calories of 

 energy between the largest and smallest food consumption of the 

 three, are rather surprising. It has already been stated in the account 

 of the individual studies that the patients in study No. 376, with the- 

 lowest food consumption, appeared to be sufficiently nourished, though 

 it can not be affirmed that they would not have been better nourished if 

 they had eaten more. The opinion of the observer and attendants in 

 charge, that these patients had enough, was based to some extent on 

 the fact that the food provided was palatable and seemed satisfactory 

 to them; furthermore, the quantities served to them were generous, so 

 that they could have eaten more if they wished it. This was true also 

 in the case of the patients in study No. 368, in which the consumption 

 was also considerably smaller than that in study No. 379. It should be 

 oliserved, however, that it is by no means always true that persons in 

 normal mental health are able to adapt their food consumption to their 

 actual bodily needs, regardless of the amount of food provided for them 

 or their relish for it, and it may be even more generally true that 

 persons as mentally irresponsible as were many of these patients, lack 

 judgment in this respect. Doubtless there were some individuals who 

 would not eat all that their bodies required, however much was set 

 before them or however attractive or palatable the food might be. 



