Abstract
Summary
A method of measuring specific gravity, and thereby estimating total body water and fat content in intact animals is presented. The dilution volume of helium, in a closed chamber of known capacity containing the animal, is measured, and subtracted from the volume of the empty chamber. This gives the volume of the animal. Weight/volume gives specific gravity. No correction for residual air is necessary. The results on 10 cats by this method corresponded closely to results obtained by underwater weighing of each carcass.
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