768 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



prnctically all the nitrofien was derived from rice and dliall (legimies). From 

 24.UT to 20.72 per cent of the nitrogen was excreted in the feces, bnt the nitrogen 

 absorbed, iiveraging 0.185 gm. per kilogram daily, is believed to have been suf- 

 ficient to meet all nitrogenous requirements. This large waste in the alimentary 

 canal is deemed by the author exceedingly objectionable, not only from its 

 economic aspects, but also in that it tends to permit excessive bacterial growth 

 and the formation of toxic compounds, and he believes that it must be a factor 

 in the prevalence of intestinal disorders and the causation of dysentery and 

 kindred diseases. 



From records extending over long periods the character and" nutritive value 

 of the diet of Bengali and Anglo-Indian and Eurasian students in Indian col- 

 leges are reixirted. The native diet in accordance with the usual food habits 

 ctmtained large proi)ortions of carbohydrate foods, and little animal food, while 

 that of the Anglo-Indian and Eurasian students was liberal as regards animal 

 foods and other food constituents. Data of this character are summarized in 

 the following table : 



Nutrients in divtunj of students in njlteues in India. 

 [(tuantit.v ix-r man per day. 1 



Group studied. 



Number 



of 

 persons. 



Bengali students I 5(i8 



Bengali students (more deficient dietary) 



Anglo-Indian and Eurasian students 



Do ". 1 126 



Protein. 



Gm. 

 67.1 

 43.6 



87.6 

 94.97 



Fat. 



Gm. 

 71.6 

 33.9 

 54.7 

 56.2 



Carbo- 

 hydrates. 



Gm. 

 548. 7 

 •200. 3 

 376. 5 

 467.0 



Tabulated records extending over a large number of years were also avail- 

 able to the author as to the physical measurements of the 5()8 Bengali students 

 included in the above table whose dietaiy provided a protein intake of GT.l 

 gm. per day of which 50.8 gm. was estimated to be digestible. 



Althou.gh these students entered colle.ge at an avera,ge a.ge of 17 or 18 years, 

 the average increase in body weight from the tirst to the third year of their 

 stay was but 2 lbs., only 1.5..3 per cent gaining continuously and 42.8 per cent 

 showing a diminution. The chest girth also remained practically stationary, 

 while the height increased from li to 24 in. It is concluded that " the metabo- 

 lism of 0.148 gm. nitrogen per kilogram of body weight Is not sufficient to meet 

 the nitrogenous needs of the growing Bengali, and in from 30 to 40 per cent of 

 the 508 examined was insufficient to ]>revent the loss of formed tissue proteid 

 as the loss in body weight would appear to mean." Similar data for 120 Anglo- 

 Indian and Eurasian students in the same colle.ge showed that on the diet fur- 

 nished them, which supplied 0.203 gm. nitrogen per kilogram the students 

 gained 14 lbs. in the first 3 years, only 2 per cent showing a diminution in 

 weight. " The two classes enter college at about the same age, live in the 

 same climate and under very similar conditions . . . but the results at the 

 end of their college career are very different. The Anglo-Indian and Eurasian 

 boys develop into strong, healthy men quite up to the average of Eurojiean 

 standards, while the Bengali students almost remain stationai'y as regards 

 development." 



Interesting statistics are given and comjiarisons made regarding the physical 

 endurance of Bengali and European laborers, which, according to the author, 

 show the decided superiority ol: tlie Europeans. 



