PULSE-RATE. 



411 



An examination of these curves shows that the basal pulse falls to 

 a minimum about the middle of November, with a tendency there- 

 after to a slight rise to a somewhat higher level during December. 

 On the return of the men from the Christmas vacation the pulse-rates 

 begin at a higher level, with thereafter a distinct fall. The data ob- 

 tained by Professor Johnson, which are plotted in the dotted line, 

 follow with great regularity the course of the basal pulse obtained in 

 the morning and show a reasonably constant difference in level between 

 the two conditions under which the pulse was counted. The striking 



SE.PT.27 OCT. 17 N0V.6 N0V.26 DEC.16 JAN.5 JAN.2S FEB.14 



Fig. 91. — Pulse-rate curves for sitting and lying positions and at different times of 



day — Squad A. 



increases in pulse-rate in the post-diet period are very clearly shown 

 in this curve for Professor Johnson's data. The self-counts by the 

 subjects at the noon and evening meals are very irregular, as would 

 be expected. Both curves fall somewhat together in their general 

 trend and approximate more or less the general form of the two 

 lower curves for the values obtained in the early morning and prior 

 to work. From an analysis of Mr. Davis's figures we find that the 

 average pulse as shown for the counts made at the noon meal is 57, 

 and that for the evening meal 60, thus showing a slightly higher pulse 

 at night. This is borne out in general by the course of the two curves, 

 although the irregularities and intersections of the two records are so 

 great that it is difficult to draw any quantitative estimate from them. 

 A general conclusion may be drawn, however, that the pulse-rate, under 

 conditions of food in the stomach and moderate activity, undergoes a 

 striking change with a reduction in diet which is in conformity with the 

 basal values obtained with the subject in the lying position. It is to 

 be regretted that more data were not obtained previous to the diet 

 restriction and in the post-diet period, but the curves obtained show 

 clearly that the diet restriction had a profound influence upon the 

 pulse-rate of the entire group of 12 men. 



MAR.6 



