Water and Electrolyte Economy of Desert Aboriginals and New Guinea Melanesians. 1. Desert Survival and the Functions of Aboriginal Nomads in the Summer Desert.
Abstract
In the desert during summer extracellular fluid volume of Aborigines was greater than that of white men, while the volume of water drunk and the rate at which water was ingested were also greater. Two litres of water were ingested in 34-39 sec by desert Aborigines but Europeans found difficulty with 1.5 l. in 180 sec. Aborigines turned over water at about twice the rate of Europeans in the same environment. In summer, urine flow rates were several times greater in Aborigines than in Europeans in the same environment. When deprived of water, however, the Aborigines reduced urine output to near the European level. They increased sodium excretion during a day without water in contrast with the European decrease in sodium excretion as water and salt were retained. The amount of sweat produced in summer when measured by body weight changes was greater in desert Aborigines than in white subjects. Standard exercise in the heat raised the low blood pressures of desert Aborigines only half as much as the higher pressures of Europeans. Aboriginal plasma renin was higher than that of Europeans, an anomalous finding. With increasing European contact Aboriginal arterial pressures rose, but there was reduction in water intake and in the rate of sodium excretion during exercise, while sweat suppression was lessened with acculturation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA044852
Entities
People
- W. V. Macfarlane
Organizations
- University of Adelaide