+-----------+-------+--------------------------------------------------+
| | | |
| | | Urine. |
| | | |
| Date. | Body- +-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| |weight.|Volume.| Sp. | Nitrogen. | Uric Acid.| P₂O₅. |
| | | 24 | Gr. | | | |
| | |hours. | | | | |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1903 | kilos | c.c. | | grams | gram | grams |
| | | | | | | |
| Oct. 13 | 57.5 | 380 | 1027 | 5.46 | 0.376 | 1.10 |
| 14 | | 550 | 1027 | 6.51 | | |
| 15 | | 400 | 1022 | 5.40 | 0.352 | 1.02 |
| 16 | | 500 | 1027 | 6.45 | | |
| 17 | 57.4 | 477 | 1030 | 6.40 | | |
| 18 | | 670 | 1027 | 7.20 | 0.406 | 1.10 |
| 19 | | 435 | 1027 | 6.13 | | |
| 20 | | 465 | 1028 | 6.83 | 0.476 | 0.92 |
| 21 | | 450 | 1029 | 6.51 | | |
| 22 | | 465 | 1027 | 6.14 | 0.370 | 0.96 |
| 27 | | 445 | 1023 | 5.52 | 0.385 | 0.79 |
| 28 | | 405 | 1027 | 5.08 | | |
| Nov. 1 | | 390 | 1029 | 5.68 | 0.372 | 0.42 |
| 2 | | 530 | 1027 | 6.33 | | |
| 3 | | 470 | 1027 | 5.92 | 0.412 | 0.75 |
| 4 | | 425 | 1028 | 5.88 | | |
| 5 | | 375 | 1029 | 4.93 | 0.330 | 0.79 |
| 7 | | 545 | 1028 | 6.57 | | |
| 8 | 57.4 | 456 | 1029 | 5.82 | 0.371 | 0.65 |
| 9 | | 415 | 1027 | 5.43 | | |
| 10 | | 615 | 1025 | 6.45 | 0.430 | 1.17 |
| 11 | | 410 | 1028 | 4.80 | | |
| 12 | | 580 | 1026 | 5.64 | 0.371 | 1.02 |
| 13 | | 584 | 1027 | 5.82 | | |
| 14 | | 505 | 1029 | 6.36 | | |
| 15 | | 405 | 1028 | 5.80 | 0.384 | 0.73 |
| 16 | | 425 | 1027 | 5.43 | | |
| 17 | | 455 | 1028 | 5.27 | 0.367 | 0.76 |
| 18 | | 575 | 1027 | 6.62 | | |
| 19 | | 447 | 1027 | 5.34 | 0.389 | 0.77 |
| 20 | | 480 | 1029 | 6.00 | | |
| 21 | 57.5 | 400 | 1029 | 5.71 | | |
| 22 | | 382 | 1029 | 5.52 | 0.379 | 0.97 |
| 23 | 57.7 | 350 | 1029 | 5.33 | | |
| 24 | | 422 | 1029 | 6.43 | 0.400 | |
| 25 | | 435 | 1030 | 5.79 | | |
| 26 | 57.6 | 445 | 1030 | 6.09 | 0.430 | 1.01 |
| 27 | | 430 | 1030 | 6.17 | | |
| 29 | | 454 | 1027 | 5.66 | 0.420 | 0.93 |
| 30 | | 455 | 1023 | 5.56 | | |
| Dec. 1 | | 420 | 1028 | 5.31 | 0.450 | 0.92 |
| 2 | | 465 | 1027 | 6.17 | | |
| 3 | | 430 | 1027 | 5.34 | 0.350 | 0.82 |
| 4 | | 365 | 1029 | 4.77 | | |
| 5 | | 430 | 1030 | 5.83 | | |
| 6 | | 515 | 1028 | 5.90 | 0.393 | 1.08 |
| 7 | | 400 | 1028 | 5.57 | | |
| 8 | | 390 | 1028 | 4.99 | 0.328 | 1.02 |
| 9 | | 405 | 1030 | 5.17 | | |
| 10 | 57.6 | 370 | 1026 | 4.64 | 0.308 | 0.90 |
| 11 | | 327 | 1030 | 4.65 | 0.325 | 1.11 |
| 12 | | 390 | 1027 | 5.16 | 0.346 | 1.01 |
| 13 | | 429 | 1029 | 5.66 | | |
| 14 | | 360 | 1030 | 4.84 | | |
| 15 | | 295 | 1029 | 4.32 | 0.291 | 0.82 |
| 16 | | 445 | 1029 | 6.27 | | |
| 17 | | 390 | 1032 | 5.59 | 0.358 | 0.73 |
| 18 | | 420 | 1030 | 5.62 | | |
| 19 | | 415 | 1027 | 5.03 | | |
| 20 | 57.5 | 390 | 1030 | 5.71 | 0.402 | 0.78 |
| 21 | | 360 | 1023 | 4.25 | | |
| 22 | | 360 | 1030 | 5.13 | 0.342 | 0.79 |
| 23 | | 400 | 1031 | 5.08 | | |
| 24 | | 435 | 1030 | 6.44 | | |
| 25 | | 450 | 1029 | 5.13 | 0.329 | 0.77 |
| 26 | | 465 | | 5.55 | | |
| 27 | | 470 | | 5.53 | | |
| 28 | | 535 | | 8.18 | | |
| 29 | | 535 | | 7.67 | | |
| 30 | | 656 | | 9.68 | | |
| 31 | 57.6 | 490 | 1031 | 7.61 | 0.455 | 0.92 |
| 1904 | | | | | | |
| Jan. 1 | | 415 | 1030 | 6.41 | | |
| 2 | | 490 | 1031 | 6.56 | | |
| 3 | | 460 | 1030 | 5.91 | 0.319 | 0.79 |
| 4 | 58.1 | 430 | 1030 | 5.72 | | |
| 5 | | 570 | 1028 | 6.36 | 0.402 | |
| 6 | | 445 | 1028 | 5.68 | | |
| 7 | | 510 | 1028 | 5.91 | 0.367 | 0.99 |
| 8 | | 420 | 1028 | 5.37 | | |
| 9 | | 650 | 1027 | 7.29 | | |
| 10 | | 635 | 1024 | 6.32 | 0.414 | 0.99 |
| 11 | | 410 | 1028 | 4.87 | | |
| 12 | | 450 | 1027 | 6.48 | | |
| 13 | | 410 | 1027 | 5.34 | 0.435 | |
| 14 | | 532 | 1028 | 6.22 | 0.502 | |
| 15 | | 530 | 1028 | 5.98 | | |
| 16 | | 515 | 1030 | 6.18 | | |
| 17 | | 537 | 1030 | 6.73 | 0.429 | |
| 18 | 57.8 | 395 | 1029 | 5.09 | | |
| 19 | | 450 | 1030 | 5.72 | 0.427 | |
| 20 | | 420 | 1026 | 4.76 | | |
| 21 | | 410 | 1029 | 5.26 | 0.401 | |
| 22 | | 485 | 1029 | 5.41 | | |
| 23 | | 440 | 1031 | 5.07 | | |
| 24 | | 485 | 1029 | 5.61 | 0.407 | |
| 25 | | 545 | 1027 | 6.18 | | |
| 26 | | 485 | 1028 | 6.69 | 0.440 | |
| 27 | | 435 | 1028 | 5.64 | | |
| 28 | | 490 | 1029 | 6.18 | 0.423 | |
| 29 | | 450 | 1029 | 5.68 | | |
| 30 | | 475 | | 5.59 | 0.376 | |
| 31 | | 490 | | 6.61 | | |
| Feb. 1 | | 490 | 1030 | 6.47 | | |
| 2 | 57.5 | 400 | 1031 | 6.12 | 0.219 | |
| 3 | | 415 | 1030 | 5.85 | | |
| 4 | | 545 | 1027 | 6.77 | 0.327 | |
| 5 | | 450 | 1030 | 5.64 | | |
| 6 | | 485 | 1027 | 6.01 | | |
| 7 | | 450 | 1026 | 5.62 | | |
| 8 | 57.4 | 415 | 1027 | 5.88 | | |
| 9 | | 540 | 1026 | 6.67 | 0.449 | |
| 10 | | 410 | 1029 | 5.61 | | |
| 11 | | 600 | 1025 | 6.70 | | |
| 12 | | 430 | 1029 | 5.57 | 0.437 | |
| 13 | | 415 | 1028 | 5.50 | | |
| 14 | | 480 | 1028 | 6.42 | 0.497 | |
| 15 | | 395 | 1030 | 4.95 | | |
| 16 | | 500 | 1029 | 5.97 | 0.364 | |
| 17 | | 450 | 1030 | 5.62 | | |
| 18 | 57.3 | 430 | 1030 | 5.86 | 0.279 | |
| 19 | | 450 | 1029 | 6.21 | | |
| 20 | | 455 | 1027 | 5.46 | | |
| 21 | | 500 | 1027 | 6.16 | 0.424 | |
| 22 | | 445 | 1028 | 5.15 | | |
| 23 | | 455 | 1027 | 5.63 | | |
| 24 | | 420 | 1028 | 6.27 | | |
| 25 | | 560 | 1027 | 6.28 | 0.403 | |
| 26 | | 630 | 1026 | 6.27 | | |
| 27 | | 570 | 1026 | 6.87 | | |
| 28 | | 515 | 1028 | 6.27 | 0.496 | |
| 29 | | 450 | 1030 | 5.43 | | |
| Mar. 1 | | 450 | 1027 | 6.02 | | |
| 2 | | 445 | 1029 | 5.15 | | |
| 3 | | 590 | 1028 | 6.30 | | |
| 4 | | 415 | 1029 | 5.40 | | |
| 5 | 57.5 | 425 | 1027 | 5.48 | | |
| 6 | | 548 | 1025 | 5.92 | 0.370 | |
| 7 | | 400 | 1029 | 4.68 | | |
| 8 | | 530 | 1028 | 5.77 | | |
| 9 | | 560 | 1028 | 5.84 | | |
| 10 | | 560 | 1028 | 5.64 | | |
| 11 | | 495 | 1028 | 5.79 | | |
| 12 | | 515 | 1021 | 6.80 | | |
| 13 | | 520 | 1029 | 6.43 | 0.370 | |
| 14 | | 600 | 1025 | 6.12 | | |
| 15 | | 520 | 1026 | 5.87 | | |
| 16 | 57.5 | 525 | 1026 | 5.13 | | |
| 17 | | 490 | 1026 | 4.97 | | |
| 18 | | 450 | 1027 | 5.08 | | |
| 19 | | 500 | 1024 | 5.85 | | |
| 20 | | 500 | 1022 | 5.91 |⎫ | |
| 21 | 57.4 | 430 | 1025 | 5.52 |⎪ | |
| 22 | | 458 | 1033 | 5.94 |⎪ | |
| 23 | 57.2 | 400 | 1029 | 5.61 |⎬ 0.321 | 1.20 |
| 24 | 57.3 | 365 | 1029 | 4.31 |⎪ daily | daily |
| 25 | | 420 | 1029 | 5.39 |⎭ average | average |
| 26 | 57.5 | 435 | 1027 | 5.85 | | |
| 27 | | 595 | 1026 | 6.33 | | |
| 28 | | 545 | 1027 | 6.00 | | |
| 29 | | 435 | 1028 | 4.86 | | |
| 30 | | 575 | 1026 | 6.26 | | |
| 31 | | 495 | 1026 | 5.26 | | |
| Apr. 1 | | 570 | 1026 | 6.33 | | |
| 2 | | 440 | 1030 | 6.07 | | |
| 3 | | 487 | 1026 | 6.11 | 0.375 | |
| 4 | | 410 | 1028 | 5.78 | | |
| 5 | | 390 | 1028 | 5.38 | | |
| 6 | 56.8 | 490 | 1028 | 5.56 | | |
| 7 | 56.5 | 530 | 1027 | 5.69 | | |
| 8 | | 440 | 1029 | 5.41 | | |
| 9 | | 465 | 1019 | 6.05 | | |
| 10 | 56.8 | 500 | 1029 | 6.00 | 0.382 | |
| 11 | | 500 | 1028 | 6.18 | | |
| 12 | 56.4 | 475 | 1029 | 5.55 | 0.366 | 0.870 |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|Daily average for | | | | | |
| six months | 466 | 1027 | 5.82 | 0.386 | 0.899 |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 13 | | 545 | 1029 | 6.77 | | |
| 14 | | 440 | 1027 | 5.89 | | |
| 15 | | 500 | 1028 | 5.91 | | |
| 16 | | 485 | 1028 | 5.49 | | |
| 17 | | 405 | 1029 | 5.99 | 0.393 | |
| 18 | | 465 | 1029 | 6.11 | | |
| 19 | | 510 | 1030 | 7.68 | | |
| 20 | | 430 | 1031 | 6.99 | | |
| 21 | 56.6 | 615 | 1029 | 8.67 | | |
| 22 | | 320 | 1030 | 5.03 | | |
| 23 | 57.1 | 355 | 1032 | 5.72 | | |
| 24 | | 455 | 1027 | 5.97 | | |
| 25 | | 380 | 1027 | 4.93 | | |
| 26 | | 450 | 1028 | 4.97 | 0.366 | |
| 27 | | 600 | 1025 | 6.62 | 0.553 | |
| 28 | 56.9 | 385 | 1029 | 5.66 | 0.507 | |
| 29 | | 415 | 1029 | 5.28 | 0.488 | |
| 30 | 56.9 | 462 | 1029 | 5.59 | 0.413 | |
| May 1 | | 486 | 1027 | 5.54 | 0.409 | |
| 2 | | 405 | 1028 | 4.11 | 0.320 | |
| 3 | 57.1 | 505 | 1027 | 5.48 | | |
| 4 | | 456 | 1026 | 5.27 | | |
| 5 | | 380 | 1026 | 4.88 | | |
| 6 | | 530 | 1027 | 6.30 | | |
| 7 | | 470 | 1024 | 5.44 | | |
| 8 | 57.6 | 460 | 1027 | 5.07 | | |
| 9 | | 460 | 1026 | 4.28 | | |
| 10 | 57.4 | 493 | 1028 | 5.26 | | |
| 11 | | 415 | 1029 | 4.61 | | |
| 12 | | 530 | 1029 | 5.98 | | |
| 13 | | 415 | 1031 | 4.72 | | |
| 14 | 57.2 | 405 | 1031 | 4.98 | 0.468 | |
| 15 | | 500 | 1029 | 5.31 | | |
| 16 | | 505 | 1027 | 5.03 | | |
| 17 | | 650 | 1020 | 5.69 | | |
| 18 | | 550 | 1027 | 5.81 | | |
| 19 | | 560 | 1027 | 6.05 | | |
| 20 | | 615 | 1027 | 6.64 | | |
| 21 | 56.9 | 380 | 1032 | 5.20 | 0.421 | |
| 22 | | 475 | 1028 | 5.73 | | |
| 23 | | 378 | 1028 | 4.60 | | |
| 24 | | 383 | 1029 | 4.48 | | |
| 25 | | 535 | 1025 | 5.14 | | |
| 26 | 56.9 | 355 | 1028 | 4.37 | | |
| 27 | | 435 | 1026 | 4.93 | | |
| 28 | 57.5 | 555 | 1028 | 5.99 | 0.397 | |
| 29 | 57.7 | 565 | 1027 | 6.27 | | |
| 30 | | 700 | 1020 | 5.50 | | |
| 31 | | 500 | 1025 | 5.13 | | |
| June 1 | | 630 | 1023 | 5.41 | | |
| 2 | | 510 | 1020 | 4.16 | | |
| 3 | | 530 | 1023 | 5.25 | | |
| 4 | 57.6 | 390 | 1029 | 5.25 | | |
| 5 | | 400 | 1025 | 4.87 | | |
| 6 | | 430 | 1027 | 5.16 | | |
| 7 | | 480 | 1028 | 5.15 | | |
| 8 | | 410 | 1027 | 4.95 | | |
| 9 | | 420 | 1026 | 4.51 | | |
| 10 | | 395 | 1026 | 4.27 | | |
| 11 | 57.5 | 510 | 1030 | 5.91 | | |
| 12 | | 530 | 1027 | 5.95 | | |
| 13 | 57.6 | 485 | 1027 | 5.35 | | |
| 14 | | 470 | 1030 | 5.16 | | |
| 15 | | 560 | 1024 | 4.91 | | |
| 16 | 57.6 | 390 | 1029 | 5.26 | | |
| 17 | | 408 | 1027 | 5.17 | | |
| 18 | 57.9 | 412 | 1030 | 5.07 | | |
| 19 | | 458 | 1025 | 5.44 | | |
| 20 | 58.0 | 380 | 1026 | 4.49 | | |
| 21 | | 480 | 1023 | 5.04 | | |
| 22 | 57.8 | 580 | 1025 | 6.16 | | |
| 23 | 57.9 | 535 | 1025 | 5.26 |⎫ | |
| 24 | 57.6 | 570 | 1024 | 5.30 |⎪ | |
| 25 | | 410 | 1027 | 4.43 |⎬ 0.397 | 1.08 |
| 26 | 57.4 | 400 | 1027 | 4.66 |⎪ daily | daily |
| 27 | 57.4 | 405 | 1027 | 4.98 |⎭ average | average |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|Daily average from | | | | | |
| Oct. 13, 1903 | 468 | 1027 | 5.69 | 0.392 | 0.904 |
|Daily average from | | | | | |
| April 13 to June | | | | | |
| 27 | | | 5.40 | | |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| June 28 | 57.5 | 595 | 1026 | 6.75 | | |
+-----------+-------+-------+------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
Scrutiny of the tables shows that during this period of nine months the
body-weight was practically constant. The daily volume of urine was
exceptionally small and fairly regular in amount, the average daily
output for the nine months being 468 c.c. It is a noticeable fact that
with a diminished intake of proteid food there is far less thirst, and
consequently a greatly decreased demand for water or other fluids.
Further, in view of the small nitrogenous waste there is no need on the
part of the body for any large amount of fluid to flush out the kidneys.
The writer has not had a turbid urine during the nine months’ period.
With heavier eating of nitrogenous foods, an abundant water supply
is a necessity to prevent the kidneys from becoming clogged, thereby
explaining the frequent beneficial results of the copious libations of
mineral waters, spring waters, etc., frequently called for after, or
with, heavy eating. Obviously, a small volume of urine each day means
so much less wear and tear of the delicate mechanism of the kidneys.
Somewhat noticeable, in a general way, is the apparent relationship
between the volume of the urine and the nitrogen output, in harmony with
the well-known diuretic action of urea. The specific gravity of the urine
shows variation only within narrow limits, the daily average for the nine
months being 1027.
Uric acid is noticeably small in quantity, the average daily output for
the nine months’ period, based upon the determinations made, being only
0.392 gram.
Chief interest, however, centres around the figures for total nitrogen,
since these figures give for each day the extent of the proteid
metabolism; _i. e._, the amount of proteid material broken down in
the body each day in connection with the wear and tear of the bodily
machinery. To fully grasp the significance of these data, it should
be remembered that the prevalent dietary standards are based upon the
assumption that the average adult must metabolize each day at least 16
grams of nitrogen. Indeed, that is what actual analysis of the urine
indicates in most cases. If now we look carefully through the figures
shown in the above tables, covering a period from October 13, 1903,
to June 28, 1904, it is seen that the daily nitrogen excretion is far
different from 16 grams. Indeed, the figures for nitrogen are exceedingly
low, and, moreover, they vary little from day to day. The average daily
output of nitrogen through the urine for the entire period of nearly nine
months is only 5.699 grams.
For the first six months the average daily excretion amounted to 5.82
grams of nitrogen, while from April 12 to June 28 the average daily
excretion of nitrogen was 5.40 grams, thus showing a slight tendency
downward. On the whole, however, there is shown a somewhat remarkable
uniformity in the daily excretion. Thus, the average daily excretion
for the month of November was 5.79 grams of nitrogen, for the month of
March 5.66 grams, thus showing very little difference in the output of
nitrogen through the kidneys in these two periods, three months apart.
In other words, the extent of proteid katabolism was essentially the
same throughout the entire nine months, implying that the amount of
proteid food eaten must have been fairly constant, and that the body had
adapted itself to this new level of nutrition from which there was no
tendency to deviate. There was no weighing out of food and no attempt
to follow any specified diet. The greatest possible variety of simple
foods was indulged in, and the dictates of the appetite were followed
with the single precaution that excess was avoided. In other words, it
was temperance in diet, and not prohibition. Yet it is equally true,
in the writer’s case at least, that the appetite itself unconsciously
served as a regulator, since there was, as a rule, no necessity to hold
the appetite in check to avoid excess. Doubtless, the writer’s knowledge
of the general composition of food-stuffs has had some influence in
the choice of foods, and thereby aided in bringing about this somewhat
remarkable uniformity in the daily output of nitrogen for such a long
period of time on an unrestricted diet.
What now do the nitrogen figures show regarding the amount of proteid
material metabolized each day? It will be remembered that the Voit
standard calls for 118 grams of proteid or albuminous food daily, of
which 105 grams should be absorbable, in order to maintain the body in
a condition of nitrogen equilibrium, and in a state of physical vigor
and general tone. This would mean a daily excretion through the urine
of at least 16 grams of nitrogen. The daily output of nitrogen in the
case under discussion, however, was 5.699 grams for a period of nearly
nine months. This amount of nitrogen excreted through the urine means
only 35.6 grams of proteid metabolized, or about one-third the amount
called for by the Voit standard, or the standards generally adopted as
expressing man’s daily requirement of proteid food. But was the body in
nitrogenous equilibrium on this small amount of proteid food? Naturally,
this question might be answered in the affirmative, on the basis of
the constancy in body-weight for the period from October to June, but
more decisive proof is needed. The question was therefore settled by a
careful comparison of the income and output, in which all the food eaten
was carefully weighed and analyzed, while the nitrogen of the urine and
fæces was determined with equal accuracy. The first experiment of this
character to be quoted is for the week commencing March 20, a period of
six days.
Following are the diets made use of each day, the weights of the various
food-stuffs being given in grams. Likewise is shown the nitrogen content
of the several food-stuffs for each day, and also a comparison of the
nitrogen intake with the output of nitrogen through the urine:
_Sunday, March 20, 1904._
Breakfast, 7.45 A. M.—One cup coffee, _i. e._, coffee 137.5 grams, cream
30.5 grams, sugar 9 grams.
Dinner, 1.30 P. M.—Stewed chicken 50 grams, mashed potato 131 grams,
biscuit 49 grams, butter 13 grams, chocolate pudding 106 grams, one small
cup coffee, _i. e._, coffee 64 grams, sugar 12 grams, cheese crackers 29
grams.
Supper, 6.30 P. M.—Lettuce sandwiches 56 grams, biscuit 35 grams, butter
6 grams, one cup tea, _i. e._, tea 170 grams, sugar 7 grams, sponge cake
47 grams, sliced oranges 82 grams.
Food. Grams. Per cent Nitrogen. Total Nitrogen.
Coffee 64 + 137 = 201.5 × 0.042 = 0.085 gram.
Cream 30.5 × 0.41 = 0.125
Sugar 12 + 9 + 7 = 28.0 × 0.00 = 0.000
Chicken 50.0 × 4.70 = 2.350
Mashed potato 131.0 × 0.30 = 0.393
Biscuit 35 + 49 = 84.0 × 1.49 = 1.251
Butter 13 + 6 = 19.0 × 0.10 = 0.019
Chocolate pudding 106.0 × 0.86 = 0.911
Cheese crackers 29.0 × 2.54 = 0.737
Lettuce sandwich 56.0 × 0.92 = 0.515
Tea 170.0 × 0.048 = 0.082
Sponge cake 47.0 × 0.98 = 0.461
Sliced orange 82.0 × 0.073 = 0.060
------
Total nitrogen in food 6.989 grams.
Total nitrogen in urine 5.910