Dinner.—Clam broth, beef stew, with potatoes, carrots and onions, boiled potatoes, bread, butter, apple-lettuce salad, apple pie, cheese, coffee.
Nitrogen Balance.
We may now consider whether these men, who had so greatly reduced the extent of their proteid metabolism, and who had apparently attained a condition of body equilibrium, were truly in nitrogenous equilibrium, or free from any daily loss of nitrogen. To test this point, a careful and exact comparison of the nitrogen intake and output was made for a period of seven days, commencing on May 18. This was not easy to accomplish, as the men were still allowed freedom in the quantity of food eaten, and also in the choice of food, within the limits of the menu provided, so that a large number of food analyses had to be made. A greater difficulty, however, in obtaining proof of equilibrium lay in the laudable ambition of the men to make a good showing,—for they had all become interested in the main problem, and had acquired great faith in the efficiency of a low proteid ration,—which led them to great caution in the matter of eating during the balance trial, thereby running the risk of diminishing in too great degree the fuel value of the food.
The following data obtained with Donahue are self-explanatory. The figures showing the quantities of food at each meal are instructive, as indicating the general makeup of the daily dietary, both as to quality and quantity.
DONAHUE.
Wednesday, May 18, 1904.
Breakfast.—Banana 141 grams, bread 60 grams, butter 15 grams, coffee 150 grams, cream 80 grams, sugar 31 grams.
Lunch.—Soup 247 grams, string beans 65 grams, bread 21 grams, butter 30 grams, coffee 150 grams, sugar 21 grams, fried potato 222 grams.