Apparatus for Basal Metabolism Determination
Various forms of apparatus have been devised and em¬ployed for determining the basal metabolism. Some simple devices have been produced that answer the purpose admir¬ably. The oxygen consumption of the patient may be studied in ten- or fifteen-minute jjeriods. It usually is more desirable to take three series of comparison tests on at least two differ- snt subjects having widely varying basal oxygen requirements. Research laboratories use expensive direct calorimetry appara¬tus; but in practice simple indirect calorimetry apparatus is used. As new apparatus is constantly being devised, those now used will have become antiquated within a small number of years.
The technique of determining the basal metabolic rate need not be considered here. While this determination is of much value in many abnormal conditions of the body, it should not be considered as of greater value than the patient’s history and symptoms and the findings under a careful physical examination.