TROPICAL TRIBES AND RACES 207 



might be made use of to show that wherever the characteristics 

 and instincts of the soldier are to be found, there will also 

 be present a high level of protein interchange. The different 

 classes just mentioned are all large meat-consuming people. 

 They are mostly pastoral, and all possess large flocks and 

 herds. They live mainly on wheat, maize, barley, rice, milk, 

 and animal flesh. Their country is, however, very sterile, so 

 that the products of agriculture form a comparatively small 

 part of the daily food. 



The photographs of typical representatives of the several 

 sects and tribes discussed will give a fair idea of the differences 

 in physique met with amongst the inhabitants of India. 



The evidence of the importance of a high level of protein 

 metabolism is overwhelming, whatever the standpoint from 

 which its effects be examined. Considerations of space do not 

 permit us to do more than call attention to two important 

 investigations carried out on this interesting subject. The first 

 was the series of experiments with batches of soldiers to 

 determine the food requirements for sustenance and work. 

 The results furnished by the Committee on the " Physiological 

 Effects of Food, Training, and Clothing on the Soldier " show 

 that when hard marching is performed a high protein dietary 

 is an absolute necessity. 



Over periods of a fortnight of hard training the protein element 

 was increased up to well over 200 grammes per man daily. The 

 Committee state that these figures were undoubtedly high, but 

 there was no evidence that they were too high. 



The conclusion of the medical officers who took part in both 

 experimental periods with a low and high protein content of 

 the diets was that the best ration for service is one containing 

 about 200 grammes of protein. 



Lieutenant-Colonel Melville,* R.A.M.C., speaking of the results 

 obtained during the first experimental period, states that 190 

 grammes of protein appeared to be ample, whilst 145 grammes 

 was too low. 



The second important series of experiments to which we wish 

 to call attention will be found in the Philippine Journal of Science 

 of February, 1911. 



After a most exhaustive and brilliantly successful series of 



* Melville, " Food Requirements for Sustenance and Work," British Medical 

 Journal, October, 1910. 



