162 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



will afford direct evidence on the effects of a relatively low 

 and medium level of protein interchange within the body. 

 What were the actual results ? From the records we find 



Bengali Students. 



1 . There is an increase in the body weight, on an average over 

 the whole series, of 2 pounds only, when the weight on entrance 

 and weight at the end of the third year are compared. 



2. On a comparison of the average weight on entrance and at 

 the end of the third year, 42-8 per cent, of the students show a 

 diminution in body weight ; only 15-3 per cent, gained weight 

 continuously during the three years. 



3. On a comparison of weight on entrance and at the end of 

 the second year, 55-8 per cent, of the students show a diminution 

 of body weight. 



4. The chest measurement practically remained stationary. 



5. As would be expected from the age on entrance, the large 

 majority over 80 per cent. of all students show an increase 

 in height, ranging from 1 J to 2 J inches. 



In the face of these results it can only be concluded that the 

 metabolism of 0-148 gramme nitrogen per kilo of body weight 

 was not sufficient to meet the nitrogenous needs of these Bengali 

 students, and, in from 30 to 40 per cent, of the 568 students 

 under observation, was insufficient to prevent a loss of formed 

 tissue protein as the diminution in body weight would appear 

 to mean. These results are in complete accord with the con- 

 clusion arrived at from a study of the blood, urine, and meta- 

 bolism of the students and servants of the Medical College, 

 Calcutta, in whom, on an average, a slightly lower level of 

 nitrogenous metabolism was found to be present. 



Eurasian Students. 



1. The average body weight over the whole series is for the 

 first year, 116 pounds ; second year, 123 pounds ; third year, 

 130 pounds ; and fourth year, 135 pounds. That is, compared 

 with a maximum increase in body weight of 2 pounds in Bengali 

 students, there is an increase of 14 pounds in Eurasian students 

 over the same period. 



2. On a comparison of weight on entrance and weight at the 

 end of the third vear, only 2 per cent, show a decrease, con- 



