Accession Number:

AD0652257

Title:

WATER AND SALT REQUIREMENTS FOR DESERT OPERATIONS

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB FORT KNOX KY

Personal Author(s):

• Nelson, Norton
• Bean, William B.

Report Date:

1942-11-12

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

Water balance studies and chloride excretions were conducted on 52 subjects 37 men from a light-tank company during maneuvers, 10 medium-tank crewmen during instructional periods and 4 members of the laboratory staff. All liquid intake and urinary output was measured and recorded - evaporative water loss determined by weighting. For the period of the study a drinking water ration of 2 gallons per day was required by the majority of men. One gallon per day even under mild temperature conditions was inadequate and caused lowering of efficiency. All tank crew members required about the same amount of water. Water requirements greater than those noted are encountered at higher temperatures and with greater activity. Salt balance was maintained in all subjects without extra salt. Conditions were not severe, however, and the men were well acclimatized. Salt tablets were unsatisfactory in a sufficient number of instances to make advisable other means of increasing salt intake. No advantage in physical well-being or economy of water was gained by limiting water drinking to meal time only.

Descriptors:

• *DESERT TESTS
• *ACCLIMATIZATION
• *HEAT TOLERANCE
• PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• WATER
• STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• MILITARY MEDICINE
• EXCRETION
• THIRST
• INGESTION(PHYSIOLOGY)
• PERSPIRATION
• MILITARY RATIONS
• SODIUM CHLORIDE
• BODY WEIGHT
• URINE

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE