The analysis of man

The analysis of man- analysis where the whole body is treated as a sample - is still at an early stage of development and the results so far obtained are rather meagre in relation to the large and complex experimental resources that have been deployed. The problems are mainly caused by the fact, that the technical difficulties with a 70 kg sample are enormous, even for the estimation of the major elements. Some aspects of the sampling, sample preparation procedures are discussed, one direct nuclear approach - whole body activation analysis - is reviewed and applications are shown. Reflecting on the difficulties on the activation analysis method a new in vivo technique (expressed in the occupancy principle, which involves tracer studies of the conventional kind combined with activation analysis in vitro) is summarized. As a final resume the necessity of further investigations is stressed to overcome the present conspicious ignorance of the chemical composition of the human body. (T.G.)