FOOD AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. 165 



the study that the people on a diet from which only 37.5 grams of protein 

 are absorbed live in a more or less chronic state of nitrogen starvation, 

 leading to loss of body fat and tissue protein with an accompanying loss 

 of vigor and strength and a comparatively low capacity for sustained 

 muscular effort. Prom the evidence as to the physical development we 

 came to the conclusion that the general physique of the Bengali is on 

 a par with his diet, and that a close relationship exists between the poor 

 physical development of this people and the meager protein absorption 

 possible from the diet on which they subsist. 



This was particularly well brought out by an analysis of the recorded 

 weights, chest measurements, and heights of Bengali and Anglo-Indian 

 students during the several years of attendance at one of the residential 

 colleges in Calcutta, Under the same conditions but on different diets 

 we found : 



1. There was an increase of 7 kilos (14 pounds) in the average weight 

 of Anglo-Indian and Eurasian students as compared with an average 

 increase in body weight of 1 kilo (2 pounds) in the case of Bengali 

 students on their diet, the observations being made over similar periods. 



2. 42.8 per cent of the Bengali students showed a diminutionin weight 

 as compared with 2 per cent among the Anglo-Indian students. Among 

 the former only 15.3 per cent gained weight continuously during the 

 four years in residence, whereas practically all gained weight continu- 

 ously among Anglo-Indian students. 



3. The chest measurements bear out the same conclusions; the Bengali 

 remains practically unaltered, whereas the Anglo-Indian, increases his 

 chest girth very considerably. 



The diets on which these results were obtained are as follows : 



Diet of Anglo-Indian students, in grams. 

 Protein (of which 38.32 were de- 



Diet of Bengali students, in grams. 



Protein (of which 9.3 were de- 

 rived from an animal source) 67.11 rived from an animal source) 94.97 

 Carbohydrate 548.73 Carbohydrate 467.00 

 Fat 71.55 Fat 56.20 



Comment on these results is unnecessaiy. They show very conclusively 

 what may be expected in growing lads from diets respectively deficient 

 and rich in absorbable protein. 



Further evidence with regard to the physical endurance, capabilities of 

 performing work, and the experiences of life insurance companies all 

 place the Bengali on a low plane of physical development. The general 

 consensus of medical opinion further shows that this power of resistance to 

 disease is markedly inferior to that of the more highly fed European. 

 Even in considering- the incidence of renal disease, the facts do not bear 

 out Chittenden's contention of the great advantage to the excretory 

 organs of a low protein intake. Benal disease is much more common 



94547 2 



