52 . REPORT — 1861. 



that it acted not simply by supplying a small quantity of nitrogen to obviate 

 the waste of the nitrogenous tissues, but in an indirect manner by improving 

 the general nutrition of the system in the matter pointed out by Dr. Smith 

 in the ' Phil. Trans.' of 1859. 



Effect of Tea. — Tiie effect of tea in lessening weight was also largely in- 

 vestigated by Mr. Milner in 1857, both as an addition to the ordinary dietary, 

 and in substitution of the oatmeal contained in the gruel. 



Four divisions of the prison, each containing between forty and fifty 

 prisoners, were cliosen for observation and comparison. 



The divisions chosen were Nos. 2 and 3 in B and C wings. 



The prisoners in the division No. 2 were chiefly employed in mat-weaving, 

 and those in division No. 3 in mat-making. 



The prisoners in the 2nd division of B wing had a pint of tea given to 

 them in addition to the regular diet of the prison. The prisoners in the 

 3rd division of B wing had a pint of tea given to them in jjlace of the pint 

 of gruel served out for supper ; tiie prisoners in the 2nd and 3rd divisions 

 of C wing remained on the regular diet. All the prisoners in these four 

 divisions were weighed every week during the continuance of the observa- 

 tions. At the end of the period the result was thus : — 



lb. 

 ■ The prisoners in the 2nd division of B wing had gained on thel ^.o. 

 average J 



The prisoners in the 2nd division of C wing had on the average 1 „ . . 

 gained J 



Showing a virtual loss by the prisoners who had had tea in addition \ « , „ 

 to the regular diet, of J 



The prisoners in the 3rd division of B wing had gained on the average O'Ol' 

 ;■ The prisoners in the 3rd division of C wing had gained on the 1 ^.p„ 

 average j 



Showing a virtual loss by the prisoners who had had tea in place 1 „ , ^ 

 of gruel, of J 



Thus, so far as the results obtained from one set of prisoners may be 

 compared with those obtained from other sets, it must be admitted that these 

 experiments prove that the use of tea tended to lessen the weight of the 

 prisoners, and consequently to show that it is unsuited as an article for extra 

 diets. 



Respiration and Pulsation. 



The Committee now proceed to give the details of their inquiries into the 

 influence of tlic agents under consideration over some of the vital processes 

 of the body, and hrst those of the respiration and pulsation. Tiie inquiries 

 comprehend experiments as to the quantity of air inspired and of carbonic 

 acid expired, and the rate of the functions of respiration and pulsation. In 

 reference to the value of the quantity of respired air as a measure of vital 

 action, the Committee refer to the inquiries previously made by Dr. Smitli 

 and published in the 'Philosophical Transactions' for 1859, wiiich liave 

 shown that, M'iiilst there is not an unvarying relation between the air inspired 

 and the carbonic acid expired in ordinary respiration, but that the ratio 

 increases with tiie severity of the exertion, there is sucii a correspondence 

 that the one may be used as a measure of tiie other in ordinary inquiries, and 

 especially tiiat the measure of the air inspired may be used as a measure of 

 the relative elfects of similar agents. 



The effects of the most laborious prison occupations, as the treadwheel, 

 crank, and shot drill, over the respiratory function and over pulsation have 



