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       We have placed all the prisoners in Puri jail on diets somewhat similar to
these for a period of about six months; a report of the effects of the change, with
observations on the degree of nitrogenous metabolism, the health of the prisoners,
the effect on body weight, etc., will be found in its proper place. We do not con-
sider that an animal protein is at all essential in the dietaries of a practically
purely vegetarian people, and, therefore, would only recommend a change to
fish from an economical standpoint; mutton, goat's flesh, etc., are not required.

      While we do not consider that an animal protein is necessary there is no doubt
that the addition of even a small quantity appears to have a marked influ-
ence in assisting the absorption of protein from a diet of the Lower Bengal type.
We obtained evidence of this in some work carried out in Midnapore jail.

       The custom in that jail is to give what is termed " fish relish "—a very small
amount of fish mixed with the rice. It is much in favour with the prisoners and,
as fish is cheap in Midnapore, the cost is purely nominal. The following are the
results of the protein absorption when a small quantity of fish is added to the
ordinary jail diet:—

Twenty prisoners observed over a period of seven days.

Fæces of prisoners pooled in batches of five.

     To this should really be added, in order to make the results comparable with
those in which the nitrogen of the urine was taken as the criterion, a certain amount
of nitrogen to cover the quantity passing out in the intestinal secretions. This
amount has been variously estimated; but, accepting v. Noorden's value of

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