Observations on the metabolism of man during starvation / by D. Noel Paton and Ralph Stockman.

Date:
[1889]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the metabolism of man during starvation / by D. Noel Paton and Ralph Stockman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    to be composed of water with a little alcohol, and a small quantity of carbonate of ammonia. On the third day of his fast he developed the habit of drinking his urine in quantities of from 2 to 9 oz. This he did daily, usually on rising in the morning. The disturbing influence of this upon the metabolism is practically nil, since all the urinary constituents are simply excreted unchanged. This somewhat disgusting habit is by no means unknown, as Jacques himself informed us that it has long been the custom among French miners to drink their urine when deprived of food, owing to mining accidents. Certain savage peoples, such as the Patagonians, also do so during starvation. He was permitted to drink aerated mineral waters ad libitum, a careful note being always made of the amount consumed. He smoked a good many cigarettes daily, and occupied himself in reading newspapers, in playing cards, in talking, and in resting on the sofa. He almost daily took a walk, sometimes during the earlier part of his fast two. The time occupied in this way was noted. During the whole period of the fast his health was never much disturbed. He was usually cheerful, though rather irritable. During the first few days his tongue became somewhat coated, and his breath very offensive. On the third and fourth day he com- plained of dull epigastric pain, which he said was relieved by taking a pinch of his powder. His bowels were not moved during the whole period of his fast, except on the first day, when a few scyba- lous masses were passed, but were not kept. A few hours after his first meal on the completion of his fast, he had a copious formed evacuation, which was, however, unfortunately lost. During the whole period, but more especially towards the latter part, he was very sensitive to cold and draughts, and, although he kept his room at a temperature usually of 75° F., his temperature was invariably subnormal, ranging from 96° to 93°'4 F. His pulse averaged between 50 and 60. His respirations were usually from 23 to 30. His skin felt moist and warm during the whole period. His expression, naturally somewhat anxious, became rather haggard towards the end. On the 9th of November he complained of pain and tenderness in the ball of the great toe, which was observed to be red and
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