33Q 



INANITION AND MALNUTRITION 



I have estimated the loss of the liver weight in atrophic infants upon several 

 bases, taking all available data, including some original observations upon Minne- 

 sota cases (Table 2) . Thus in comparison with the normal for final body weight, 

 the liver averaged 6.3 per cent subnormal (or 11.2 per cent for the Minnesota 

 data alone). Compared with the normal for the maximum body weight during 

 life, the liver averaged 33 per cent subnormal, which is relatively more than the 

 loss in body weight (20.9 per cent) . Compared with the normal for body length, 

 however, the liver averaged only 23.2 (or 26.3) per cent subnormal; and for age 

 it averaged 27.1 (30.3) per cent below the norm. 



Fig. 89. — Graph showing the individual weights of the liver, according to body length, in 

 170 atrophic infants. The larger dots represent original Minnesota cases; others from various 

 sources. The curve of normal liver weight is from data compiled by Prof. R. E. Scammon. 

 Although there is much individual variation, the average liver weight is markedly subnormal, 

 especially in the (younger) cases on the left half of the chart. 



The individual weights of the liver for some of the Minnesota cases are 

 included in Table 3. It will be noted that in most cases the liver weight (as 

 likewise the body weight) is considerably below the normal for birth. A better 

 idea of the relative weight of the liver in atrophic infants is obtained from Figs. 

 88 and 89. It is evident that there is a marked variation in the weight of the 

 liver (which is known to occur even under normal conditions) ; but most cases 

 are considerably below the norm, in accordance with the averages noted in 

 Table 2. 



In the animals, observations on the effects of inanition upon the liver are 

 very numerous, and will be considered in chronological order, excepting some 

 data on seasonal changes and hibernation, which are placed last. 



