THE NORMAL DIET OF MAN 



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an excess of protein is absolutely necessary in the case of the children to 

 provide the material for their proper development and growth. The 

 relation between rate of growth and protein content of food is well illustrated 

 by a comparison of the composition of the milk in different animals. In the 

 following Table (Proscher) it will be seen that the more rapidly an animal 

 grows the greater is the protein content of the milk with which it is supplied : 



We should expect then that the milk which is the sole food of the growing 

 infant should contain a relatively greater proportion of protein than is neces- 

 sary in the case of the adult. In an experiment by E. Feer, quoted by 

 Bunge, a child weighing 8226 grm. at the thirtieth week took 951 grm. of 

 milk. Human milk contains : 



Protein 



Fat .... 

 Sugar .... 

 Ash .... 



The child was therefore receiving daily : 



Protein 



Fat .... 



Sugar .... 



Ash 



1-6 per cent. 

 34 

 6-1 

 0-2 



15-2 grm. 

 32-3 

 58-0 

 1-9 



According to the same proportions a man of 70 kilos would take in : 

 Protein ..... 129 grm. 



Fat 275 



Sugar ...... 494 



Ash 16 



It is interesting to note that the protein of this diet differs but little 

 from that in the diets ordinarily accepted as standard, but there is a large 

 excess in the fat, and in the total calori value, as would be expected from 

 the more rapid metabolism and the relatively larger body surface of the 

 young child. 



