A NORMAL DIET 



385 



DIETARY STUDIES Continued 



SWEDEN 



SWITZERLAND 



nance of body temperature. Variations in the amounts of energy required 

 for these purposes mean variations in the amount of food required and, 

 presumably, in the amount consumed. This we shall find to be the case. 



The many variables involved make direct comparison of the tabulated 

 figures difficult but by considering only one at a time, fairly regular rela- 

 tions appear. 



Influence of Climate and Season upon Food Consumption. It is 

 a generally accepted belief that less food is required in summer than 

 in winter and less in the tropics than in temperate climates. But there 

 are very few accurate observations and such as there are do not support 

 this belief. 



In a study of the rations consumed by a battalion of French soldiers, 

 Perrier found an apparently regular change with the season. (Table V.) 

 But these soldiers were fresh recruits in October and Perrier ascribed the 

 large consumption of food in October and November to this fact. The 

 peak came in November, the consumption of food being then 100 calories 

 greater than in the following January and February. When the men were 

 at camp, June 22 to July 11, the new mode of life and, probably, the in- 



