I-80 NUTRITION, DIETETICS AND ANIMAL HEAT 



of urea ; it increases the output of CCte. These two facts to- 

 gether mean again that only the carbohydrates and fats are 

 being oxidized in increased amount. This increased oxida- 

 tion, the effect of which is to maintain the normal body tem- 

 perature is usually dismissed with the statement that it is a 

 reflex nervous act. It is claimed by Johannson that the CO 

 output is not increased until shivering occurs (Reichert). 

 That being the case, the increase is explained on the ground 

 of increased energy and heat production incident to muscular 

 exercise, and shivering assumes the dignity of a physiological 

 factor in keeping up the temperature of the body. This is 

 perfectly reasonable when it is remembered how effective ac- 

 tive muscular exercise is in keeping the body warm. But the 

 fact that a person when cold shivers and is restless involun- 

 tarily does not allow us to escape the unsatisfactory "reflex 

 action" explanation of the phenomenon in question. Within 

 ordinary and reasonable limits proteid metabolism is undis- 

 turbed; it is still being protected by the fats and carbohy- 

 drates. 



During starvation nothing is supplied from the outside 

 world except oxygen, and the animal must live on the mater- 

 ials already in his body. The glycogen is first consumed ; it is 

 the surplus on hand ; but at best it is all gone in a very few 

 days. Then the fat stored up as adipose tissue is drawn 

 upon ; it is the reserve fund ; but it is likewise soon con- 

 sumed; the animal becomes progressively emaciated. When 

 this is exhausted the tissue proteid is attacked; this is the 

 capital and is the last to be touched ; but there must be heat 

 and at least some energy, and there is no other source. When 

 the proteid capital has at least been so impaired that it can no 

 longer furnish heat to maintain the body temperature and 

 energy to carry on the necessary organic functions, the or- 

 ganism is physiologically bankrupt and assignment follows 

 death is at hand. 



