CHAP. IX.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 391 



If now we turn to the first table of the total nitrogen excreted, 

 and add the quantities B and C together, we find that the nitrogen 

 which Fick and Wislicenus agreed to take as representing the 

 albuminous decomposition of the period of exercise, is as follows : 



Fick 57423 grms. 



Wislicenus 5*5501 grms. 



And assuming that this represents an albuminous substance con- 

 taining 15 p.c. of nitrogen, we get as the quantities of nitrogenous 

 matter decomposed during the time of exercise, by 



Fick 38-282 grms. 



Wislicenus 37'000 grms. 



Owing to a slight mistake fully explained in the original memoir, this 

 number in the case of Fick had to be reduced to 37*17 grams. 



Thus were obtained numbers representing all the albuminous 

 matter which could possibly have been consumed during the period 

 of the ascent. Knowing this, we can easily calculate the kilogram- 

 metres of work which the burning of so much matter would represent. 

 According to Frankland 1 the burning of 1 grm. of beef-lean dried 



CMs 2161 kilogram-metres : whence, if the material consumed in the 

 y of each experimenter had been wholly burnt up, the oxidation 

 would have corresponded 



In Fick to (37'17 x 2161) or 80324-37 kilog.-met. 

 In Wislicenus (to 37 x 2161) or 79957 kilog.-met. 



As a fact the oxidation is not carried to its ultimate conclusion in 

 the body, since urea is the product. Hence the mechanical equiva- 

 lent of each combustion is really considerably less than that stated. 



If we refer to the calculation of the work done in the mere 

 ascent of the Faulhorn, without taking into account for a moment 

 the large circulatory and respiratory work, we shall at once see what 

 a large proportion of the mechanical effect of muscular exercise is 

 wholly uncovered by the combustion of albuminous material. 



Fick and Wislicenus were not acquainted with the heat of combustion 

 of dried albumin as directly obtained; they therefore made an approxi- 

 mation which now appears to have been rather in excess of the truth, 

 Neglecting the N altogether, they assumed that the heat of combustion of 

 albumin would not be greater than the sum of the heats of combustion of 

 the C and H which it contained. 



1 grm. of albumin contains '535 grm. C. 



07 grm. H. 

 But the value of the heats of combustion are, 



of C 8080 grm.-degrees*, 



ofH 34462 grm.-degrees. 



And 



of *535 grms. C ... 4320 grm.-degrees. 

 of '07 grms. H ... 24 10 grm.-degrees. 



1 Frankland, "Origin of Muscular Power." Lond., Edin. and Dub, Phil. Hag., 4th 

 Sor., Vol. xxxii., 18G6, p. 187. 



