Table 126. - Basal Metabolism Of Leslie J. Tompkins - Squad A

Table 127. - Basal Metabolism Of Ronald T. Veal - Squad A

Total Heat Output With Low Diet, Squad A

For a consideration of the total heat production of the squad at the beginning of the experiment, we have collected the data for all of the men in Squad A, except Spe, prior to diet restriction, and likewise the total heat output on the last three days of the experiment, and compared them in table 128. The values at the beginning of the experiment are usually the average of 3 to 5 days, but in the case of Mon 1 day is used. The total basal heat production at the beginning ranged from a minimum of 1,481 calories with Bro to a maximum of 1,858 calories with Mon. The average for the 11 men was 1,686 calories. The three measurements with Kon used for his normal average were not obtained until the latter part of October, but they may properly be used here to indicate his metabolism prior to dietetic restriction. On the last 3 days of the experiment, the basal metabolism ranged from a minimum of 1,217 calories with Pec and Tom to a maximum of 1,590 calories with Can. The average for the 11 men was 1,367 calories. This represents a decrease of 319 calories or 19 per cent. Thus, by the restriction of diet the total basal metabolism of this squad was actually lowered 19 per cent.

Since the personnel of the squad changed somewhat during the experiment, inasmuch as Kon replaced Fre beginning with the fourth night in the large respiration chamber while Spe was not included in the group measurements after the sixth experiment, it would be illogical to compare the total heat output of the whole squad at the beginning and end of the experiment from measurements made with the group respiration chamber.

Heat Output Per Kilogram Of Body-Weight With Low Diet, Squad A

As a means of comparing the metabolism of different individuals or of the same individuals under different conditions the heat per kilogram of body-weight has been extensively used. The heat output computed on this basis is recorded in the gaseous metabolism tables for the individual subjects. In table 129 the heat production per kilogram of body-weight per 24 hours for the measurements nearest to October 1, November 24, and January 26 have been collected for the different subjects, October 1 representing the beginning of the experiment, November 24 a period of strict reduction, and January 26 approximately the end of the test. In obtaining these values, the method used has been to average the measurements on two days either side of the date here given, save in the case of October 1, for which all the values measured previous to the restriction in diet have been used in the average. Thus, for November 24 and January 26, the values for 5 days have, in general, been used. The values for Bro show a positive reduction in the heat production per kilogram of body-weight; with Can there was no appreciable change; with Kon there was a slight increase, with Gar and Gul a regular decrease; with Mon a decrease about November 24 but no appreciable subsequent change about January 26; with Moy a continuous decrease throughout the entire period; with Pea a decided fall with practically constancy on November 24 and January 26; with Pec a continuous fall on the three dates; with Spe a considerable fall on November 24 but no record for January 26; with Tom a progressive decrease; with Vea a marked fall on November 24 but no subsequent change. The picture of the squad as a whole is shown by the average values, which are for October 1, 25.2 calories, for November 24, 23.1 calories, and for January 26, 22.3 calories. Here we have a clear picture of a continuous reduction in heat production per kilogram of body-weight from the beginning to the end of this long test, a picture fully confirmed by the data computed from the results of the experiments with the group chamber on the nights of September 29-30, November 24-25, and January 26-27.

Table 128. - Heat Production At The Beginning And End Of Period With Reduced Diet - Squad A, Subjects Post-Absorptive And In Lying Position

Table 129. - Heat Per Kilogram Per 24 Hours (Computed From Individual Respiration Experiments) At Different Diet Levels - Squad A, Subjects Post-Absorptive And In Lying Position

1 See table 133 (footnotes) for explanation of period averages.

2 Minimum during sleep, after standard supper (700 calories) at restaurant from 6 to 12 hours before the experiment. Computed from values in table 131, for experiments on Sept. 29-30, Nov. 24-25, and Jan. 26-27.