LOW PROTEIN DIETARY IN THE TROPICS 



167 



poor in nitrogen is incapable of performing a really hard day's 

 work ; the explanation can only be that the deficient nitrog- 

 enous intake does not permit of the development of the muscular 

 tissue necessary for the carrying out of severe labour. 



The carbohydrate element of the diet is present in abundance 

 for the supply of the required energy, but the muscular tissue, 

 essential for the dissipation of that energy in the form of work, 

 is largely lacking. 



(/) Expectation of Life. The following table,* compiled by 

 Mr. Hardy from census and local mortality statistics, ' may be 

 taken to give an approximately accurate estimate of the expecta- 

 tion of life at different ages, with the corresponding English 

 figures for comparison : 



Between fifteen and thirty-five years of age the probabilities 

 are from 36 to 38 per cent, for males, and from 34 to 48 per cent, 

 for females, less favourable in India ; the difference at birth 

 amounts to 79 and 85 per cent, respectively. 



The mortality rates per 1,000 are also much higher in India 

 than in European countries. In Bengal the "probable true 

 normal rate" (1888-1891) was 44-8 per 1,000, and for India 

 39-6. For the same period in England and Wales the death- 

 rate was 19-1. 



It is interesting to note that the figures for Hindus and 

 Mohammedans show that the death-rates, under similar con- 

 ditions, are in favour of the latter. This is the more remarkable 



* " Imperial Gazetteer of India," vol. i., p. 515. 



