CONCERNING LOW PROTEIN DIETARIES 135 



tion that results therefrom. . . . The increased prevalence of 

 rice-eating impels to the use of opium and narcotics. ... It 

 also impels, however, in its more subtle after-effects, to modes of 

 thought and feeling which operate narcotically." 



Dr. I. M. Mullick,* in a study of the medical aspect of student 

 life in Calcutta, states that 50 per cent, are melancholic, pessi- 

 mistic, never enjoy life properly, this condition arising both from 

 actual want as well as from imaginary evils. In dilating on their 

 ill-developed, weak, and defective physique, he ascribes the 

 important cause to diet and an insufficient amount of easily 

 assimilable protein. As a result of protein starvation, the 

 muscles are enfeebled and the body does not attain its full develop- 

 ment and growth ; these effects on the race are most lasting and 

 dangerous. Hence the preponderance of so many infectious 

 diseases in the land, which are largely predisposed to by the low 

 resisting power of the system. 



We may now refer to some other observations and investi- 

 gations bearing on the merits or demerits of the low protein 

 standard advocated by Chittenden. The very interesting and 

 instructive knowledge, gained from experiences in the local and 

 convict prisons of England, with the dietaries in force before the 

 introduction of the present scales, is of special importance : 



No. 1 diet provided 



Protein . . 57 grms. \ 



Carbohydrates . . 341 ,, V Caloric value, 1,464 calories. 



Fat .. .. 19 J 



i.e., practically identical with Chittenden's protein standard. 



No. 2 diet provided 



Protein . . . . 70 grms. } 



Carbohydrates . . 385 ,, VCaloric value, 1,684 calories. 



Fat .. .. 21 J 



i.e., considerably above Chittenden's standard in protein. 



Convict diet for light labour provided 

 Protein . . . . 133 grms. ] 



Carbohydrates . . 478 ,, \ Caloric value, 2,398 calories. 

 Fat .. .. 44 ,, J 



i.e., greatly in excess of the amount of protein Chittenden 

 would consider amply sufficient. 



These dietaries had been in force for twenty years, and were 

 regarded as physiologically correct and amply sufficient. How- 

 ever, when the subject came before Parliament, a terrible indict- 



* Dr. Mullick, Calcutta Medical Journal, April, 1909. 



