Body size and metabolism

摘要: Abstract does not appear. First page follows. The statement that the basal metabolism of animals differing in size is nearly proportional to their respective body surfaces, called surface law. Benedict has shown this law already over ninety years old, Robiquet and Tillaye having formulated it quite clearly 1839. history given paper (Harris (1919)). We may here only briefly mention different ways which been found. early writers derived from theoretical considerations on a rather small experimental basis, as did Bergmann, who 1847 had written book the subject. Respiration trials were carried out by Regnault Reiset, Rameaux based measurements amount air respired per minute two thousand human beings sizes. (Rubner (1883)) demonstrated accurate respiration dogs Richet rediscovered empirically rabbits. latter writes (p. 223): “C’est apree coup seulement que je me suis avise la donnee etait plus interessante poids.” Although (Armsby, Fries, Braman (1918), p. 55) found confirmed striking degree, is at all so clear today appeared its discoverers. (Carman Mitchell (1926), 380) state situation very well: “In spite weakness of law, computation unit surface seems present most satisfactory method available equalizing experimental results for differences animals.”