370 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED, [Vol.35 



X. A formula to estimate the approoeimate surface area if height and weight 

 be hnoim, D. and E. P. Dubois (pp. 863-871).— " The method of calculating the 

 surface area from the so-called ' linear formula ' is given with a slight correc- 

 tion in the factor for the arms and an alternative measurement for the thighs. 

 A simpler 'height-weight formula' has been devised to estimate the surface of 

 subjects if only their height and weight be known. This is expressed in the 

 terms A=W^-^XE^"'XC, A being the surface area in square centimeters, H 

 the height in centimeters, W the weight in kilograms, and C the constant 71.84. 

 A chart has been plotted from this formula so that the approximate surface 

 area may be determined at a glance." 



"The errors in the various formulas [are estimated] as follows: 'linear for- 

 mula ' and ' height-weight formula ' maximum ± 5 per cent, average ± 1.5 per 

 cent, Meeh's formula [A^W'^^XC], maximum + 30 per cent, average + 15 per 

 cent. In general the maximum figures apply only to those of unusual shape, 

 while with those of average body form the average error wiU seldom be 

 exceeded." 



XI. A comparison' of the metabolism of men flat in bed and sitting in a 

 steamer chair, G. P. Soderstrom, A. L. Meyer, and E. P. Dubois (pp. 872-886). — 

 Experimental data are summarized by the authors as follows : 



" The Sage calorimeter in the season of 1914-15 was fully as accurate as in 

 the previous years. Alcohol checks gave the following total errors : Heat + 0.51 

 per cent, oxygen — 0.51 per cent, carbon dioxid — 0.36 per cent, water + 3.13 

 per cent. The respiratory quotient averaged 0.666, while the theoretical quotient 

 was 0.6667. 



" Four normal men and two cardiac patients were studied in the calorimeter 

 lying flat in bed and in the semireclining position propped up with a back rest, 

 or else in a comfortable steamer chair. A total of 21 experiments showed that 

 the metabolism averaged 3 per cent lower in the semireclining posture. One of 

 the cardiacs, and possibly one of the normal controls, showed a slightly higher 

 metabolism when propped up in bed. 



" The difference between the results is so small that in the study of pathologic 

 cases . . . the same figures [can be used] for the average normal metabolism in 

 both postures. In the majority of cases, however, the energy requirement is 

 lower in the orthopneic position." 



XII. The metabolism of boys 12 and IS years old compared icith the metabolism 

 at other ages, E. P. Dubois (pp. 887-901). — "Eight normal boys, 12 or 13 years 

 old, were studied in the respiration calorimeter four to six hours after a small 

 breakfast. They were allowed to read for one of the two experimental hours, 

 but were very quiet. The methods of direct and indirect calorimetry agreed 

 within 0.04 per cent. Their heat production per unit of surface area was 32 

 per cent higher than the adult level according to Meeh's formula, or 25 per 

 cent higher according to the more accurate ' linear formula.' 



" In studying the effect of growth on metabolism, interpretation of the results 

 obtained on infants is complicated by the fact that babies differ greatly from 

 adults in the proportions of the body and the relative size of the viscera, notably 

 the liver and thyroid. Boys just before the onset of puberty have almost adult 

 proportions. They are in the midst of a period of accelerated growth. The fact 

 that the metabolism is high points to a specific increase in the metabolism of 

 the growing organism." 



XIII. The basal metabolism of normal adults ivith special reference to sur- 

 face area, P. C. Gephart and E. P. Dubois (pp. 902-914). — "The basal metabo- 

 lism of four normal men and one woman has been determined, and experiments 

 have been made on the specific action of protein and glucose. 



