348 PROCEEJDINGS : WASHINGTON ACADEMY 



rapid expansion of the army Surgeon General William C. Gorgas or- 

 ganized in his office, in August, 19 17, a Division of Food and Nutrition. 

 This continued as an independent division until after the signing of 

 the armistice. This Division commissioned and trained 113 officers 

 who made nutritional surveys of all the large camps in this country and 

 40 of them were sent to France to be assigned one to each division of 

 combatant troops as nutrition officers. Just before the signing of the 

 armistice a request was received that all subsequent divisions should 

 have nutrition officers assigned them from this side. After the nu- 

 tritional surveys had been completed nutrition officers were stationed, 

 one in each camp, to act as inspectors and advisors on all food matters, 

 chiefly on matters relating to the proper construction of menus and the 

 proper use and conservation of food. In short, the function was what 

 might be termed that of food engineers. 



"The nutritional surveys have shown for the first time what is the 

 actual average consumption of food by healthy soldiers kept at hard 

 work tliroughout the training period. The average consumption for 

 427 messes scattered throughout all the training camps in the United 

 States and covering all periods of the year is 3633 calories per man per 

 day, distributed as follows: 14 per cent protein, 31 per cent fat, and 

 55 per cent carbohydrate. In addition to this the average soldier in 

 something over 300 surveys has consumed 365 calories, which he pur- 

 chased from the canteen. This added to the consumption from the 

 mess makes a total food consumption of 3998 calories. The surveys 

 also showed for the first time a definite seasonal variation in food con- 

 sumption. They showed likewise a progressive and consistent improve- 

 ment in food conservation up to the signing of the armistice, at which 

 time discipline and morale suffered a distinct diminution resulting in 

 greater waste of food. 



"In comparison with the garrison ration authorized in army regula- 

 tions as the basis for the subsistence of one man for one day, the amount 

 of food actually consumed leaves a margin of fully 20 per cent. The 

 Division of Food and Nutrition recommended a reduction of this margin 

 to 10 per cent, but the recommendation was not adopted by the General 

 Staff. 



' 'The surveys have demonstrated marked physical improvement in the 

 soldiers during the period of training. For example, at Camp Devens 

 the 303d Field Artillery exhibited in a period of five months an average 

 gain in weight of more than six pounds, due to "muscling up." There 

 was also a distinct gain in height, much of which no doubt was due to 

 "straightening up." 



"The lecture was illustrated by lantern slides and motion pictures, 

 showing methods of food inspection, methods of serving, of dishwashing, 

 of baking and handling of bread, and of feeding sick and wounded 

 soldiers." {Author's abstract.) 



WihhiAM R. Maxon, Recording Secretary. 



