448 



METABOLISM, NUTRITION, AND DIET 



diminution, the daily fluctuation amounting to 3 C. instead of 0.5 to i C., 

 as in health. The temperature fell very rapidly a short time before death, 

 and death ensued when the loss had amounted to about 16 . 2 C. It has been 

 often said, and with truth, that death by starvation is really death from want 

 of heat. The effect of the application of external warmth to animals cold 

 and dying from starvation is more effectual in reviving them than the ad- 

 ministration of food. 



The symptoms produced by starvation in the human subject are hunger, 

 accompanied, or it may be replaced, by pain, referred to the region of the 



Ul 



DAYS OF FASTING 



FIG. 310. The Elimination of Urea by Dogs during Fasting. (Voit.) 

 Following 2,500 grams of meat in the food. 

 - Following 1,500 grams of meat in the food. 

 - Following minimal amount of protein in the food. 



stomach; insatiable thirst; sleeplessness; general weakness, and emaciation. 

 The exhalations both from the lungs and from the skin are fetid, indicating 

 the tendency to decomposition which belongs to badly nourished tissues; 

 and death occurs often with symptoms of nervous disorder, delirium, or 

 convulsions. Death commonly occurs within from six to ten days after 

 total deprivation of food. This period may be considerably prolonged by 



