FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 271 



according to their chemical composition, they appear to be superior to the 

 English prison scales and even to most of the standard dietaries, in reality 

 they are much inferior. The explanation for this will be found to be the low 

 degree of protein absorption shown by the foodstuffs entering into the com- 

 position of the dietaries of the jails of the United Provinces." 



Studies of digestibilty showed a considerable range. The coeflBcient of diges- 

 tibility of protein of ordinary jail wheat was found to be 67.1 per cent, a value 

 considerably lower than that of first quality wheat. In general, the diges- 

 tibility of the legumes studied was also lower than that of first quality wheat. 

 Tlie average digestibility of total carbohydrates in the jail dietaries was found 

 to be 96.4; the carbohydrates of wheat, 96.5; and, in general, 92 per cent or 

 over for the individual materials and combinations under consideration. 



The author does not believe that the present dietaries contain an excessive 

 amount of protein. " While acknowledging the force of the different arguments 

 for the reduction of the level of protein metabolism, we have had sufficient 

 evidence in our work In India to confirm us in the opinion that a liberal supply 

 of absorbable protein is the all-important element of a diet, without which, 

 no matter how plentiful the other constituents may be, physical fitness, capacity 

 for work, and power of resisting disease can not be expected." 



On the basis of the investigation a number of suggestions are made for im- 

 proving the dietaries and for making them more economical. A series of 8 diets 

 is given which are practically of identical nutritive values, and interchangeable, 

 the particular diet in use at any stated time depending on the season of the 

 year and on the food materials available. 



In the section which deals with the relationship of food to physical develop- 

 ment much detailed information is given regarding the food and physical 

 condition of Brahmins, sikhs, Pathans, and other natives. In some cases the 

 diet is principally vegetarian; in others vegetables and dairy products are 

 used ; while in others a mixed diet is followed. 



In general, it is the author's opinion that the more generous the diet the 

 more satisfactory the physical condition and general well-being. " From the 

 facts we have been able to collect with regard to the inhabitants of the United 

 Provinces and martial races of the plains, there would appear to be abundant 

 evidence that, other things being equal, diet is the all-important factor in 

 determining the degree of physical development and general well-being of a 

 people, and that with a low level of nitrogenous interchange deficient stamina, 

 morally and physically, must be expected." 



The effect of a strictly vegetable diet on the spontaneous activity, the 

 rate of growth, and the longevity of the albino rat, J. R. Slonaker (Leland 

 Stanford Jr. Univ. Pubs., Univ. Scr., 1912, pp. 36, pi. 1, figs. iJ).— Using 2 

 groups of young rats the same age and as nearly as possible of the same 

 parentage, the author studied the effects of a vegetable diet in comparison with 

 the same diet plus animal food. 



According to his conclusions, the omnivorous feeders were more active and 

 ■\ oluntarily did much more work than the rats on a vegetarian diet, the average 

 ratio of efficiency being 7.5 : 1. The females surpassed in activity the males 

 of the same group, the difference being greater with the omnivorous rats than 

 with those receiving the vegetable diet. The difference was not very noticeable 

 until the experiment had proceeded 2 or 3 months or until about one-fifth of the 

 total life of the rats on the vegetable diet had been lived. " One can not con- 

 clude, therefore, that a diet used for a few weeks is not injurious if no bad 

 results occur during that time. 



53861°— No. 3—12 6 



