More studies have been made on the basal metabolism in diabetes than in any other disease, with the exception of diseases of the thyroid gland. This fact is not surprising, since in no other condition is a well adjusted diet so important.
The most exhaustive work on this subject has been done by Benedict and Joslin,1 who have also adequately reviewed the earlier literature on the subject. The consensus now is that no change occurs in the basal metabolism in diabetes, unless there is a coexisting condition, such as chronic undernutrition, which would affect the metabolism even in persons without diabetes.
Considering the extent of the literature, it is surprising that so few studies have been made on diabetic children. With the exception of the reports of isolated cases, I could find only two studies of the basal metabolism in diabetic children. Beck2 studied the basal metabolism of