The Caloric Cost and Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Simulated Subarctic Survival Sistuations

摘要

Field investigation was undertaken in 1961-62 to determine the physiological changes concomitant with starvation in an arctic or sub-arctic environment. The results of these experiments indicate that man increases his caloric expenditure to 2300 kcal/Msq./24 hours, as is expected, but that he also displays a severe dehydration. This dehydration is accompanied by a marked loss of electrolytes, primarily sodium, and it is this isotonic dehydration that causes the severe malaise and apathy typical of starvation in the cold. The Integrating Motor Pneumotachograph is presented and its use as a device to measure caloric expenditure is described. (Author)