130 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



pointing out that on an average during the second period, when 

 the men showed a positive nitrogen balance, the urinary nitrogen 

 points to a protein absorption of 76 per cent., whilst the true 

 amount is really 82-5 per cent. The absorption of protein for 

 the subjects individually, on the other hand, based, according to 

 Chittenden's method, on the urinary nitrogen, shows much greater 

 variations : thus, No. 3 would seemingly show an absorption of 

 less than 64 per cent., the real amount being 75-3 per cent., 

 according to the figures given for the total intake and the loss 

 of nitrogen in the faeces. 



On the whole, while the figures recorded by Chittenden for 

 the balance period and those given for the elimination of nitrogen 

 in the urine during the several months of observation are open 

 to a considerable amount of criticism, the fact remains that these 

 men existed for months, if not on the low amount of nitrogen 

 per kilo of body weight that Chittenden found, at least on dietaries 

 that would appear to have contained very much less protein than 

 that provided in Voit's standard.* It must be accepted also 

 that during the period of five months the men showed no signs 

 of diminished strength or loss of bodily vigour. 



The studies carried out with eight athletes demonstrate that 

 this class can very materially reduce the quantity of protein in 

 their diet, and, at the same time, gain enormously in strength, 

 and win in intercollegiate and other athletic contests. As these 

 men were in training before the change of diet took place, the 

 evidence afforded by their improvement in strength and physical 

 condition is of greater importance on the merits of a low protein 

 dietary than the increase in physical powers recorded in the 

 case of the soldiers. 



It would appear from the opinions expressed by those in charge 

 of the training of these men that the good results obtained are 

 entirely to be ascribed to the lowered protein intake, whilst any 

 ill-effects can always be explained away as due to some cause 

 other than diet. Thus the winning of two championships is 

 specially suggested as being due to the restricted diet. Another 

 man won points for the first time ; others showed no falling off, 

 or were actually believed to have improved their position as 

 athletes. It is reported that all lost in weight, some very con- 

 siderably ; but that is made light of, and even regarded as a con- 

 dition devotedly to be wished. Considering that all these men 



* For more recent information on this point, see note on p. 148. 



