PULSE-RATE. 391 



the pulse-rates for the entire squad were measured. Usually the 

 averages given in the last column of table 80 are those for not less 

 than 8 or 9 subjects. The maximum average daily value of 58 beats 

 appears on September 27 (the first day of the experiment). This 

 figure represents an average value for 9 subjects. The minimum 

 average daily value of 38 beats is noted twice, first on November 19 

 and again on January 28. On the latter date, however, the average 

 represents but 4 subjects, while on November 19 daily pulse-rates for 

 9 subjects are included in the average. Three italicized figures, i. e., 

 38, 40, and 40, appear in this column between November 19 to 24, and 

 two appear in the last of January. 



Beginning with October 7, that is, the third day after the reduced 

 diet began, the average pulse-rate drops to 51 and continues to be 

 reasonably uniform throughout October. There is a fall to 44 on 

 October 31 and until November 19 the rate remains not far from 44. 

 There is then a short period of low values, but throughout the month 

 of December the average value of 44 or 45 beats is almost uniformly 

 noted, the exceptions being December 9, 10, 11, and 13. A striking 

 increase in the average value is noted on the first few days after the 

 Christmas recess, January 7 to 9, when values of 54, 51, and 53 are 

 found. There is then a progressive decrease, the lowest level occur- 

 ring from about January 24 to 28, with a tendency for a slight rise 

 thereafter. Apparently when these men are on their maintenance 

 diet at the lower level, the average pulse-rate for the entire group is 

 not far from 43 or 44 beats per minute. While, as we have stated, 

 this method of averaging is open to criticism, the general influence 

 of the reduced diet upon the squad as a whole is fairly well depicted 

 by this series of daily averages. The daily records for each member 

 of Squad A essentially correspond with the course of the general daily 

 average. While certain of the men did not reach a particularly low 

 level in pulse-rate, they nevertheless showed a general decrease in 

 pulse-rate. With other men in Squad A extraordinarily low values 

 were obtained. The profound influence of the reduced diet upon the 

 pulse-rate is thus shown by inspection of the figures for the individual 

 men, but it is shown by the daily averages more clearly and with less 

 contamination by minor extraneous factors. 



Save on a few days, all of the pulse records in table 80 were taken 

 at Springfield. On certain of the Sundays in Boston pulse-rates were 

 taken in the group chamber before the subjects rose in the morning. 

 When compared, we find that the Boston values do not differ materially 

 from those obtained on the day before and the day after in Springfield. 

 For instance, on November 25, the average daily pulse-rate for the 

 group obtained in Boston was 41, while the Springfield value for the 

 day before was 40. That for the day following (47) is not unusual, 

 and indicates the rise following the Sunday with uncontrolled diet. 



