1905-6.] Effects of Varying Diets upon Growth and Nutrition. 87 
Preliminary Note regarding an Experimental Investiga- 
tion into the Effects of Varying Diets upon Growth 
and Nutrition. By Chalmers Watson, M.D. From the 
Physiological Laboratory of the University of Edinburgh. 
Presented by Professor E. A. Schafer, F.R.S. 
(MS. received December 7, 1905. Read December 18, 1905.) 
The object of this research, which is still in progress, is to 
determine the influence of various diets on the growth and 
nutrition of animals. 
The diets employed have been — (1) uncooked horse flesh, (2) 
uncooked ox flesh, (3) rice boiled in water, (4) oatmeal porridge 
made with skim milk, (5) bread soaked in skim milk (the control 
diet). A known quantity of common salt was added to the rice 
and porridge foods, and an unlimited amount of water was given 
to all the animals except those fed on bread and milk. All the 
foods were supplied ad libitum. The chemical composition and 
heat values of samples of the various foods used were determined 
by Dr Andrew Hunter, and are given in the following table 
Dried Foods. 
Proteid. 
4-5 
cQ 
Carbohydrate. 
Ash. 
Physical 
Heat Values. 
Physiological 
Heat Values 
calculated. 
j Calculated. 
Observed. 
Horse flesh . 
81-62 
14-27 
1-70 
2*41 
5506 
5640 
4772 
Ox flesli 
49-80 
46-48 
1-50 
2*22 
6967 
6896 
6519 
Rice .... 
7-65 
1-08 
88*76 
2-57 
4123 
4098 
4055 
Porridge 
16-11 
8-24 
72 15 
3-50 
4546 
4610 
4401 
Bread and skim milk . 
18-50 
4-41 
73-10 
3-94 
4341 
4305 
4176 
The animals employed have been tame rats of various ages (in 
number over 300). 
