refers to the experiments of Kumagawa, Siven, and other physiologists; who have shown that men may live and thrive, for a time at least, on amounts of proteid per day equal to only one-half and one-quarter the amount called for in the Voit standard (see p. 32), even without unduly increasing the total calories of the food intake.  Such investigations, however, have always called forth critical comment from writers reluctant to depart from the current standards, as extending over too short periods of time.

Dr. Chittenden writes that he has had in his laboratory, for several months past, a gentleman (H.F.) who for some five years, practised a certain degree of abstinence in the taking of food and attained important economy with, as he believes, great gain, in bodily and mental vigour and with marked improvement in his general health.  The gentleman in question fully satisfies his appetite, but no longer desires the amount of food consumed by most individuals.  For a period of thirteen days, in January, he was under observation in Professor Chittenden’s laboratory.  The daily amount of proteid metabolised was 41.25 grammes, the body-weight (165 pounds) remaining practically constant.  Analysis of the excretions showed an output of an equivalent quantity of nitrogen.  In February a more thorough series of observations was made.  The diet was quite simple, and consisted merely of a prepared cereal food, milk and maple sugar.  This diet was taken twice a day for seven days, and was selected by the subject as giving sufficient variety for his needs and quite in accord with his taste.  No attempt was made to conform to any given standard of quantity, but the subject took each day such amounts of the above foods as his appetite craved.  The daily average in grammes was, proteid 44.9 (1.58 ounces), fats 38.0, carbohydrates 253.0, calories 1,606.  The total intake of nitrogen per day was 7.19, while the output was 6.90.  It may be asked, says Professor Chittenden, was this diet at all adequate for the needs of the body—­sufficient for a man weighing 165 pounds?  In reply, it may be said that the appetite was satisfied and that the subject had full freedom to take more food if he so desired.  The body-weight remained practically constant and the nitrogen of the intake and output were not far apart.  An important point is, can a man on such food be fit for physical work?  Mr. Fletcher was placed under the guidance of Dr. W.G.  Anderson, the director of the gymnasium of Yale University.  Dr. Anderson reports that on the four last days of the experiment, in February, 1903, Mr. Fletcher was given the same kind of exercises as are given to the ’Varsity crew.  They are drastic and fatiguing and cannot be done by beginners without soreness and pain resulting.  They are of a character to tax the heart and lungs as well as to try the muscles of the limbs and trunk.  “My conclusion, given in condensed form, is this:  Mr. Fletcher performs this work with greater