INANITION. 27 



in the last class, death occurred in 13 T %- days, after pro- 

 portionate loss of -rVft- 1 



This corresponds with all recorded observations concern- 

 ing the influence of age on the power of resistance to inani- 

 tion, in the human subject, as well as in the inferior animals. 

 During the earlier periods of life, especially before the sys- 

 tem has attained its perfect development, aliment is de- 

 manded, not only to repair waste, but for growth ; and at 

 this time, when the demand for food is greatest, the organism 

 is least able to bear total deprivation, insufficient quantity, 

 or inferior quality of food. 



All parts of the organism are by no means equally 

 affected by inanition. As an invariable rule, the fat dis- 

 appears almost completely. The blood is diminished about 

 three-quarters, and the digestive organs more than one-half. 

 The muscular system is diminished nearly one-half. The 

 weight of the nervous system is least affected. 



The following table gives the proportionate loss of the 

 different parts of the body : 2 



Loss per 100 of different parts of the Body in Incmition. 



Parts that lose more than the mean, f g . Parts that lose less than the mean, T %. 



Fat 0-933 



Blood 0-750 



Spleen , 0-714 



Pancreas 0-641 



Liver 0-520 



Heart 0-448 



Intestines 0-424 



Muscles of locomotion 0*423 



Stomach 0-397 



Pharynx, oesophagus 0'342 



Skin 0-333 



Kidneys 0-319 



Respiratory apparatus 0-222 



Osseous system 0-167 



Eyes 0-100 



Nervous system 0-019 



After death the stomach is found small and contracted, 

 the intestinal canal is reduced in calibre, and its length is 

 diminished nearly one-third (-&%). The digestive fluids, 

 which are only secreted when food is contained in the ali- 



CHOSSAT, op. cit., p. 28. 3 Ibid., p. 92. 



