THE DETERMINATION OF THE TOTAL HEAT ELIMINATED BY THE HUMAN BEING 1

Abstract

The prediction of the heat production from the insensible loss of weight, as suggested in 1926 by Benedict and Root for the basal state, has been extended to the determination of the total energy transformations during the 24 hrs. The insensible weight loss is made up of the weight of the water vaporized from the skin and lungs, plus the carbon dioxide eliminated, minus the oxygen absorbed, during the period. Since it has been shown that a fixed proportion of the total heat eliminated is lost by the vaporization of water, and since the insensible loss of weight consists largely of this water vapor, the insensible loss of weight becomes a measure of heat elimination and also of heat production whenever the two are equal. The determination of the 24-hourly insensible loss of weight, from the weight of the patient and the weight of his ingesta and excreta, was used as a measure of the total 24-hourly transformations of energy. To obtain satisfactory results performance of mechanical work must be reduced to a minimum and the individual must be prevented from sweating or cooling his skin below a critical temp.