44 VITALITY AND EFFICIENCY WITH RESTRICTED DIET. 



the preparation of material for transportation to Springfield. Con- 

 siderable anxiety was felt as to the possibility of carrying out the 

 research, owing to the constant reports during the summer of low 

 registration and probably small attendance at the college on account 

 of the drafts for mihtary service and the demands for graduates and 

 undergraduates for Y. M. C. A. work in the field. After a year's expe- 

 rience with these men, one can easily see why the demand should have 

 been so great. As a matter of fact, it was not until the opening of the 

 college year that we were confident that a sufficient number of students 

 would be available from whom to select subjects for the research. 



In a general address at the opening of the college, the plan for the 

 investigation was outhned and volunteers were asked for from the 

 student body. Sixty-three men (considerably more than half of those 

 attending the meeting) offered their services. Detailed explanations 

 were given to these men as to the time required and the specific demands 

 which would be made upon them. When it is remembered that many 

 of those volunteering relied upon outside employment for their support 

 in college and many of them had previously obligated themselves for 

 such employment, it was surprising to find that after this explanation 

 of the requirements there still remained 34 men who were ready to join 

 the "squad." It must be emphasized at this point that these men 

 were, first, college students with all the obhgationsof college attendance, 

 and second, volunteers for experiments of this kind. From the 34 

 men remaining a careful selection was made, chiefly on the advice of 

 Professor Berry, of the 12 men to serve as ''Squad A." Of these 12 

 men, 5 were taking the secretarial course and 7 the physical course.^ 



To illustrate the spirit obtaining in the college, the fact is of interest 

 that before the final selection was made, many of the volunteers 

 specially requested that they be allowed to serve. After the selection a 

 number of the men were obviously disappointed, for they felt that it 

 was an opportunity to be of real service in undergoing some privation 

 for the sake of science and of supplying important information to the 

 nation in a crisis. The 22 men remaining thus provided excellent 

 material as a reserve for possible substitutes in Squad A and for the 

 selection of subject'* for the second squad (Squad B) and assured the 

 carrying out of the original plan of research. 



COLLEGE STATUS OF MEN IN SQUAD A. 



At the time the call was made for volunteer subjects, it was clearly- 

 explained that no college credit would be given for service in the experi- 

 ment and it was emphasized that the work would require considerable 

 time and attention from those who entered. It is reasonable to be- 

 lieve that under these conditions those who offered themselves would 

 be serious-minded and such as had previously done at least fairly well 



1 This refers to the final personnel of Squad A, and includes Kontner but not Fretter. Of 

 Squad B, 3 were taking the secretarial course and 9 the physical course 



