1917-18.] A Further Study of Labouring Class Dietaries. 45 
eldest girl has begun to work, earning 8s. weekly, and consequently the 
family is in more comfortable circumstances. The food has regained its 
former high energy value, chiefly from an increased consumption of bread 
(Table II). 
Table II shows the extent to which the chief articles of food were used, 
and the food values which each house-mother received per penny spent at 
the different periods. In compiling the table the amounts are expressed as 
per “ man ” per week. 
Considering the number of men, women, and children of different ages 
in the civil population of the country during war conditions, it has been 
calculated that the requirements per “ person ” are about f that per “man.” 
But in the group of individuals constituting these families the number of 
children was so great that the requirements per “ head ” amount to only 
about *56 that of a man.” 
Flour was chiefly consumed as bread, and the above calculations were 
made by taking 1 lb. of bread as equivalent to f lb. flour. In spite of a 
reduction in price from 5Jd. to 4Jd. for the 2-lb. loaf between February 
and November, there has been practically no increase in the average 
amount of flour used. Indeed, all but three diets, two of which are those 
showing the greatest increase in energy value, have a decreased consump- 
tion of flour. This probably indicates that the maximum consumption of 
bread has been reached, provided that the other commonly used foodstuffs 
are available at not too excessive prices. A further decrease in price 
would not be accompanied by increased consumption, but possibly by 
increased waste. 
Cereals other than flour were used in considerable quantity, the average 
consumption per “ man ” per week being 15 ozs., or about f lb. per “ person.” 
Bread yielded no less than 52'6 per cent, of the energy, a rise from 40 per 
cent, in the 1915-16 studies. Cereals, including bread, provided 62 per cent, 
of the energy. 
Meat showed no increase, although the prices were lowered and the 
supply plentiful. Even at its controlled prices, meat is too expensive for 
the labouring man’s wife to purchase to any extent. The relative values 
purchasable per penny spent on bread and meat at November prices were 
527 and 99 Calories. 
The amount of sugar used had not appreciably changed since February. 
During the 1915 studies, when sugar was plentiful, an average of 0'89 lb. 
was used per “ person ” per week in these eight families. The more recent 
investigations show all that could be obtained owing to the scarcity of 
supplies. 
