FORMAL PEOCESSES OF ENERGY METABOLISM 655 



observations of Sonden and Tigerstedt at Stockholm, of Rubner(^) at Ber- 

 lin and of v. Willebrand at Helsingfors in contrast with the very low if not 

 actually minimal values obtained by Magnus-Levy and Falk at Berlin, by 



lin at Helsingfors and by the Boston workers, furnish some very interest- 

 ng, though as yet very incomplete, data on the effects of moderate mus- 

 sular activity. 



The resting and post-absorptive rate established by Magnus-Levy and 

 k have been discussed above and while the average line established by 



em lies considerably above that of Benedict and Talbot, their results lie 

 rithin the range of variability given by the latter authors. So also do 

 those of Olin, notwithstanding that her subjects were studied in the sit- 

 ting position. They were placed in the apparatus individually, usually 

 in the morning after a light breakfast. The results are summarized in 

 the following table. 



TABLE 37 

 METABOLISM OF BOYS SITTING VEEY STILL (Olin) 



* Assuming a R. Q. of 0.85 i. e., Heat-value of C0 2 of 5.721 Cal. per liter. 



In calculating the surface area by Meeh's formula the constant 12.205 

 was used by Olin for boys under 13 and 12.847 for boys over that age. 

 The heat production in relation to surface area calculated by the writer 

 upon the assumption of a R. Q. of 0.85 are very close to those ordinarily 

 obtained upon adult subjects under the conditions usually accepted as 

 basal (see page 610). It has recently been shown that a person propped 

 up in a semi-reclining position may have a metabolism even lower than 

 when lying flat in bed. These results by Olin seem to signify that young 

 persons may be induced to sit quietly enough to exhibit a metabolism even 

 lower ( ?) than when lying down. It would seem that Olin's subjects 

 must have been supported in such a position as to require no muscular 

 tension and that, as in the semi-reclining position in a steamer chair, the 

 diminished pressure of the abdominal organs upon the diaphragm may 

 have lessened the muscular effort of breathing. The results should prob- 

 ably be regarded as representing truly basal conditions. 



