16 



HAROLD L. HIGGINS 



Sodium was retained by the body, a smaller amount being excreted 

 than was in the used flesh. Magnesium was excreted in amounts prac- 

 tically equal to that found in the body flesh burned. With potassium there 

 was apparently little or no retention. Calcium and phosphates, however, 

 were excreted in larger quantities than were present in the flesh, and this 

 excess doubtless came from the bones. However, the excess of calcium 

 lost is relatively small, and neither clinically nor by X-ray were there any 

 signs of bone changes. 



Body Weight 



The body weight is probably the most used and the most satisfactory 

 index of undernutrition available. In fasting, the loss of weight in prac- 

 tically every observed case, both in animals and men, has been similar. 

 The loss of weight in the first few days is comparatively rapid, then less 

 rapid each day until finally the loss becomes essentially constant. Just 

 before death there is a sudden fall. There are many factors which play a 

 role in determining the loss of body weight, most important of which are : 

 1. The water-balance: it is recalled that during the first days of fasting, 

 there is a large depletion of the body fluids, which may be associated with 

 the depletion of the glycogen. This largely explains the early loss of 

 weight. 2. The energy metabolism : this, as has been stated, becomes less 

 and less as the fast progresses, reaching finally a level which is practically 

 constant. 3. Minor factors: such are loss of weight by defecation if it 

 occurs, weather changes, activity and pathological conditions such as fever, 

 infections, etc. 



TABLE 9 

 BODY WEIGHT OF FASTING MAN 



(Table from Benedict.) 



With so many minor factors, which may affect the body weight, and 

 as the first of the two major factors of itself is likely to vary, it is to be 

 expected that the body weight curve will not have a simple mathematical 



