Home > Indian History > History of India > Nutritional Studies in British India
Nutritional Studies in British India
Nutritional studies in British India were topped with one single thought of curing malnutrition.

Share this Article:

Nutritional Studies in British IndiaNutritional studies in British India had come off as a rather forced move. Nutritional study was then the need of the hour as due to a terrible financial crisis during the two World Wars, Indian plebeian population was deeply affected. As a result mortality rate rose up drastically, the few surviving grossly undernourished and unfed. In order to mend and cure malnutritioned and sick people and people ravaged in war nutritional study in the then India was given an immense importance and called for emergency nutritional measures by the government. Hence nutritional researches started being conducted by British researchers.

In the years of 1876-78, during the Madras famine, Sir Richard Temple (1826-1902) and W. R. Cornish (1828-1897), Sanitary Commissioner for Madras, conducted a heated debate on the amount and types of nutrition needed by an adult per day as a famine relief measure. Temple stood for one pound of grain per day, while Cornish recommended twenty-four ounces of grain supplemented by vegetables, condiments and some meat. In the end the Government of Madras decided in Cornish`s favour.

As a protective measure towards nutritional studies in British India, in 1912, D. McCay (1873-1948), Professor of Physiology at the Calcutta Medical College, published his Investigations into the Jail Dietaries of the United Provinces. His study examined the body`s ability to use nutrients from various foodstuffs. His work set new standards for Jail diets and was viewed as the first scientific study of nutrition in India. It was to be regularly cited by other specialists over the next thirty years.

In 1921, Robert McCarrison (1878-1960) published his Studies in Deficiency Disease. This marked one of the first steps in medically examining malnutrition in India.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to [email protected]


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.