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common to the diets of both countries, and perhaps also with a people who have
a low power of absorption as compared with Europeans, that we consider that any
adaptation based on European experience is misleading and incorrect.

     To much of the valuable information contained in Major Macnamara's paper
we shall have occasion to refer when dealing with other parts of the enquiry, at
present all that we need say is that, until the Punjab jail diets have been studied
from the standpoint of their actual nutritive value, it is impossible to form any
opinion as to their superiority or otherwise, compared with Major Macnamara's
adaptations based on the Scotch dietaries.

     With regard to the remarks of Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Bamber, I.M.S., Sani-
tary Commissioner, Punjab, we cannot do better than quote his closing paragraph:
" In conclusion, I think it will be advisable before making any alteration in the diet
scales of the Province to appoint a Committee to consider the diets of the people
of the different districts of the province, to carry out experiments on the chemical
composition and digestibility of the different food grains in use in this Province,
and then, having fixed upon suitable diet scales, to try them first in one or two
jails in this Province."

     The last of the official papers connected with this subject is the correspondence
relating to the dietary in force in the Andamans. We shall have occasion to make
use of the experience gained as to the suitability of the diet scales in force in that
Settlement when we come to consider the proper proportions of the different food-
stuffs constituting satisfactory diets.

The Scope of the Present Enquiry.

     The following extract from a letter from the Sanitary Commissioner with the
Government of India to the Government of Bengal gives an outline of the work
required to be carried out:—

     "To begin at once the investigation into the suitability of the diet scales pre-
scribed for prisoners in the jails of Bengal. He should be required to estimate the
actual nutritive value of the different food-stuffs entering into the dietary of the
prisoners; this will involve—

     (1) Chemical analyses of the foods.

     (2) An estimate of the quantities of each proximate principle in the diet
scales.

     (3) Chemical examination of the excreta.

     (4) Chemical examination of the blood .

     (5) Also to enquire into the effects of the different kinds of dal on nutrition
and on intestinal disorders.