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a sufficiently large number of individuals to eliminate the error due to any one
subject falling much below the ordinary standard.

       It is, therefore, obvious that, so far as our analyses go, they bear out, in
every detail, all that Chittenden has contended for, viz. :—the feasibility of main-
taining the body in a condition of nitrogenous equilibrium over long periods of
time on a diet whose proteid or nitrogen value is one-third of that usually accep-
ted as necessary for the needs of the system. Regarding the people with whom
we dealt this low proteid intake is the ordinary amount present in the average
diet of the whole population; on this amount they subsist during all the years
of their life.

       The diet of the native population of Bengal meets Von Noorden's
criticism ⁽¹⁾ of Chittenden's work—that it is almost impossible in ordinary life to
arrange a diet with so low a proteid content, that will not prove insufficient and
unsuitable. We shall have occasion later to present analyses of the different
food-stuffs; at present, all we need say is that it is the diet of the masses and is
not only inexpensive but agreeable though somewhat monotonous in character.

       While this and much more might be said corroborating most of the results
obtained by Chittenden we have shown sufficiently that the Bengali is able
to maintain the total proteid store of his organism unaltered in amount on a
nitrogenous supply that would be much below the amount decomposed during
starvation.

       We shall now pass to the consideration of the evidence that this minimum
amount of proteid is amply sufficient for the maintenance of the body in a per-
fect condition of health and physical vigour. In this examination we shall deal
first with the evidence obtained from students and servants of the Colleges in
Calcutta.

II.—THE EVIDENCE FROM PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT.

      (a) The body-weight.—From the records of over 2,500 observations on
the weight of Bengali students we find the average to be just under 52 kilos.
This is very slightly higher than the average weight of the Bengali as worked
out from the Bengal Jail statistics by Major Buchanan, I. M.S.⁽²⁾ From a collec-
tion of 28,863 weights and heights of prisoners in Bengal Jails Major Buchanan
obtained an average of from 110—112 lbs. or from 50 to 50 ½ kilos. We shall
not, therefore, be much in error if we take the average weight of the Bengali—
student or otherwise—at 52 kilos. which is probably slightly over the mark
rather than under.

       How does this average compare with the average European?

                                    ⁽¹⁾ Von Noorden.—The Physiology of Metabolism, 1907.

                                    ⁽²⁾ Buchanan.—Manual of Jail Hygiene, 1901.