104 INFLUENCE OF FOOD PRESERVATIVES ON HEALTH. 



period. From the data given in these tables are obtained the average 

 ratios for each of these periods and for the whole of Series I, as follows: 



Per cent. 



Fore period 4. 20 



Preservative period 4. 22 



After period 4. 21 



Average for series 4. 21 



- It would be interesting to give the data of this nature for the other 

 series, but it is thought that those which are here submitted are suf- 

 ficient for illustration and that it is not necessary to take further space 

 to record these daily observations. 



The general average given above shows a consumption of food each 

 day on the part of the individuals under observation during the periods 

 covered by the first series, including thirty-six days, equivalent to 

 4.21 per cent of the daily weight of their bodies. The greater part of 

 the food weight consists in the coffee, milk, and water consumed and 

 in the water present in the solid foods. It is interesting to know, 

 however, about what weight of food is taken into the stomach daily, 

 and these data fully illustrate that point. If we assume that the aver- 

 age healthy young man eats an amount of food equivalent to 4.21 per 

 cent of his own weight each day, it is seen that it would require nearly 

 twenty-four days for him to eat a weight of food equivalent to the 

 weight of his body. 



