STARVATION 101 



on the second day, Hawk thought there was a washing out of waste 

 products from the tissues, but at the same time also an increase in the 

 protein catabolism, as even on the second day there was an increased 

 output of nitrogen. 



In starvation particularly, it is almost certain that both sources of 

 nitrogen must be considered. In all probability, in this condition, 

 much of the so-called " free " nitrogen is the result of autolytic action 

 in the tissues and is material in transit for utilization. If this repair 

 and fuel material be washed out, as life must be maintained, then 

 there will be a further breakdown of protein to supply the deficiency. 

 Probably the same hypothesis holds true in the fed animal provided 

 the intake of nitrogen be not too large. Here by the excessive in- 

 gestion of water and resultant diuresis the absorbed material is washed 

 away before it can be utilized. In order to supply the deficiency in 

 the organism, which is now in a state of partial nitrogen starvation, 

 there will be an increase in the catabolism of tissue protein. That 

 some such balance as the one just presented does occur is borne out 

 by the following observations. Straub (388) was unable to get an in- 

 crease in the output of nitrogen after two litres of water in a man in 

 nitrogenous equilibrium on a large intake of protein, whereas Hawk 

 (174) on a diet containing half the amount of nitrogen did get an in- 

 crease. Heilner (181, 182) was unable to get an increase in the out- 

 put of nitrogen after giving water to well-fed dogs, although, on the 

 other hand, he found 2000 c.c. of water given to a fasting dog increased 

 the output of nitrogen and at the same time increased the output of 

 chlorine by about 30 per cent. This increase, he maintained, was due 

 not to mere washing out of the tissues but to increased catabolism of the 

 protein. He based his conclusion on the fact that the increase in the 

 output of chlorine was extended over several days, whereas the nitrogen 

 output rose at once with the increased diuresis. 



The loss of fluid from the body by haemorrhage from injury also 

 seems to be associated with an increase in the output of nitrogen 

 (Hawk and Gies (175) and Haskins (170)), but on the other hand the 

 natural haemorrhage of menstruation is said to be accompanied by a 

 well-marked retention of nitrogen in the body (Schondorff (359) and 

 Schrader (360)). 



