LOW PROTEIN DIETARY IN THE TROPICS 163 



trasted with a decrease of 42-8 per cent, in the case of the Bengali 

 over a similar period. 



Practically 100 per cent, gained weight continuously during 

 the three years a marked contrast to the 15-3 per cent, of 

 Bengalis who showed a continuous gain. 



3. Less than 4 per cent, show a diminution in body weight 

 at the end of the second year, while 55-8 per cent, of the Bengali 

 students lose weight during this period. 



4. In the Bengali the average chest measurement does not 

 alter, while the Eurasian students show the following averages : 

 First year, 33J inches ; second year, 34 inches ; third year, 

 34 J inches. This is a considerable increase for the period during 

 which figures are available. 



5. Growth in height is even more marked than in Bengali 

 students, practically everyone gaining considerably in height. 



The dietary of these Eurasian students provided a minimum 

 metabolism of 0-203 gramme nitrogen per kilo of body weight, 

 whilst the heat value and carbonaceous elements were very much 

 lower than in the dietary of the Bengali students. 



It is unnecessary to labour the comparison of the resulting 

 condition of these two classes ; the facts stated, gleaned from 

 the medical officer's records, speak with no uncertain voice, and 

 force the unbiassed mind to the conclusion that, while it is 

 possible to live on quantities of protein much below that fixed 

 almost universally at 100 grammes per day by the races and 

 people who are of greatest importance, any marked decrease 

 below this amount is likely to be accompanied with, and followed 

 by, a train of circumstances that are neither to the welfare nor 

 to the efficiency of the individual or the race. 



The results obtained from a comparison of these two classes 

 of students are most important in appraising the merits or 

 demerits of diets low and relatively high in protein. It is not 

 a comparison of the physical development of Bengalis and 

 Eurasian, but a comparison of the two classes during a period 

 of three years of their lives, which they passed under exactly 

 similar conditions, the only difference being the quantity and 

 quality of their food, and, particularly, the difference in the 

 level of protein metabolism possible from their respective 

 dietaries. 



We consider these results prove conclusively that, with a diet 

 poor in nitrogen, individuals are produced who are deficient in 



