Basal Insulin Requirement in Diabetes Mellitus

Duration of the Action of Different Insulins

“…It is obvious, of course, that the actual figures characterizing the duration of the action of insulin in this experiment need not apply to diabetics. However, if, under the conditions of this experiment, it is found that regular insulin is effective for eight hours, this result would agree fairly well with the data in the literature (Scott and Dotti, 1932;Lawrence, 1938;Martin et al, 1940;Peck, 1942;, and one would not be far out in accepting the figures as applying to diabetics.…”

“…The accompanying Chart shows the number of persons in each group from whom the average was calculated. This method was chosen because it eliminates all other factors which might influence the blood-sugar level (Himsworth, 1934;Martin et al, 1940). As fasting might decrease the blood sugar, food to a standardized amount was given each hour, to prevent the rise in blood-sugar level which would occur with a larger food intake and which might simulate the end of the action of the insulin.…”