UNDEKNTJTRITION 



15 



practically exact ratio to the nitrogen excretion, which is about fifteen to 

 one. 



Mineral Metabolism 



The mineral constituents of the urine include the chlorides, the phos- 

 phates, the sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. 



For the first fifteen days of the fast the chlorine excretion in the urine 

 gradually became lower, then remained practically constant. Analysis of 

 muscle tissue shows approximately seven-hundredths per cent chlorine 

 (Katz, 1896). The following Table 7 shows the daily chlorine excretion, 

 the amount of body flesh that has been destroyed, and the amount of 

 chlorine contained in that flesh. 



TABLE 7 

 CHLORINE BALANCE IN FASTING MAN 



(Data for table from Benedict.) 



Thus it is seen that the chlorine excretion in the latter part of the fast 

 practically equals that which would be expected, were the whole amount 

 to come from the disintegrated flesh. 



A similar table (8) follows for the sodium, potassium, magnesium, 

 calcium, and phosphates. 



(Data for table from Benedict.') 



