The exact amount of aliment required by each individual can only be stated in a general way. In the circumstances in which he is placed, the supply must be of such character and quantity as shall be proportionate to the constructive and reparative needs of his body. It is possible, however, to state a mean for the various ages and occupations of life.
Physiologists generally agree that in ordinary conditions of exercise the following represents the amounts of the several food elements necessary for the adult individual daily:
| Albuminous substances | 120 | gms. | = | 4 | oz. |
| Fatty substances | 60 | ” | = | 2 | ” |
| Carbohydrates | 360 | ” | = | 12 | ” |
Taking the fatty matters as the unit, the daily allowance would bear the following proportions:
Fats, 1; albuminoids, 2; carbohydrates, 6.
These quantities and especially the fats and carbohydrates, in conditions of hard muscular labor, must be increased; and the proportion would then stand:
Fats, 1; albuminoids, 1.7; carbohydrates, 7.
The division of this amount of food elements into proper portions during twenty-four hours is important. This must be regulated by the habits and other circumstances of the individual.[952]
The occurrence of death solely from privation of food is comparatively rare; yet it is sufficiently frequent to be considered as one of the causes of violent death and to demand investigation, since circumstances may be such as to constitute a homicide from criminal neglect or a suicide from intentional abstinence from food.