THE PROTEIN METABOLISM OF MANKIND 



91 



Of the total protein, 35 to 45 per cent, is derived from an animal 

 source. The large amount of milk in the dietaries of these people 

 is very noticeable. 



From the coefficients of protein absorption obtained for 

 these foodstuffs in India, the level of protein metabolism may 

 easily be calculated. Thus milk, butter, and meat provide 

 45 grammes protein, of which 43 grammes will be absorbed ; and 

 the cereals and vegetables provide 83 grammes, of which 75 per 

 cent., or 62 grammes, will be absorbed. Therefore the total 

 protein absorbed is 105 grammes, or 16-8 grammes nitrogen per 

 man daily. The average weight of the Sikh is 68 kilos, which 

 would mean a metabolism of 0-25 gramme of nitrogen per kilo 

 of body weight. These are the minimum figures. 



As will be evident, the diet of the Sikhs in their own homes is 

 quite up to that of European standards. A minimum protein 

 metabolism of 105 grammes daily, equal, in the case of the 

 Sikh, to an interchange of 0-25 gramme of nitrogen per day, 

 places him on an equal footing with the better-fed races of man- 

 kind, and very much superior to the rice-eating Bengali, and 

 most of the other races of the plains of India. 



It is of interest in this connection to examine the dietary of 

 recruits on joining their regiment. The food and quantities per 

 man are as follows : 



Approximate Value. 



Protein, 135 grins. 



Heat value, 4,000 calories. 



Besides this, recruits frequently purchase other delicacies 

 out of their pay. About 40 grammes of the total protein is 

 animal in nature, and the level of protein metabolism attained 

 on the above diet works out at a daily interchange of 110 grammes, 

 or 17-6 grammes of nitrogen per man daily. The above dietaries, 

 which understate rather than overstate the case, are given in 

 detail, as it is not uncommon to see such loose statements as the 

 following made : " Hindus live entirely on rice." Sikhs are 

 Hindus, therefore " Sikhs live on rice." " Sikhs live entirely 

 on vegetable food." As a matter of fact, as will be seen when 

 we come to examine the dietaries of the well-developed races of 

 Northern India, the truth is that the foodstuffs made use of are 



