238 



THE HUMAN MECHANISM 



Infants and rapidly growing children need relatively more 

 protein than adults. The protein of the usual adult diet 

 makes about 13 to 15 per cent of the total fuel value of the 

 food ; in milk, the sole diet of a baby, it makes 20 to 25 per 

 cent. A similar thing is true of the diet during convalescence 

 from wasting diseases ; such a diet should be as rich in pro- 

 tein as is consistent with its proper digestion and utilization 

 by the body. 



24. Food values of some common foods. The folio whig 

 table (from Joslin) will be found useful in forming an esti- 

 mate of the content of certain foods in protein, fat, and 

 carbohydrate, and also of the fuel value of these foods. 



An individual "at rest" requires about 25 calories per kilogram 

 (2.2 Ib.) body weight per 24 hours, equivalent to approximately 1 calorie 

 per kilogram per hour. 



