BLOOD PRESSURE. 375 



value of 64 mm. is exactly that noted with Squad A. It is of special 

 interest that one week of a reduced diet, containing only 1,400 net 

 calories, lowered the systolic pressure of 11 men from 120 to 102 mm. 

 and the diastolic pressure from 83 to 69 mm. 



PULSE PRESSURE. SQUADS A AND B. 



The average normal pulse pressure (i. e., the difference between 

 systolic and diastolic pressures) of college students of this age and en- 

 vironment is shown in table 77 by the values found on January 5 

 with Squad B, namely, 37 mm. with a range from 20 to 58 mm. Before 

 considering the pulse pressures with Squad A we may advantageously 

 examine those with Squad B. These show a slight tendency to fall 

 (7 mm. on the average) as the restricted diet progressed and increased 

 in only two cases. With Squad B, the normal pulse pressure was not 

 far from 37 mm. Comparing this value with the pulse pressures for 

 Squad A given in table 76, we find that with the prolonged reduction 

 in diet there is a tendency toward much lower pulse pressures with not 

 a few of the men in this squad. Bro shows a low pulse pressure of 15 

 mm. in many of the measurements, Can one record of 15 mm., Kon two 

 records of 5 mm., and Gar two records of 15 mm. The lowest record 

 for Gul was 25 mm., Mon, 10 mm. Moy, 5 mm.. Pea, 25 mm.. Pec, 10 

 mm., Spe, 15 mm., Tom, 15 mm., and Vea, 25 mm. The group aver- 

 ages in the last column of the table show that the pulse pressures regu- 

 larly decreased from 34 mm. on October 13 to 18 mm. on December 19, 

 but after the return from the Christmas vacation, the pulse pressure 

 rose for the whole squad to 25 mm. with the two final values somewhat 

 higher, i. e., 30 and 31 mm. It is quite clear that a large proportion of 

 the values shown in table 76 are distinctly lower than normal; hence we 

 may consider that as a result of the low diet there was a definite tendency 

 towards a decrease in the pulse pressure, as well as an absolute decrease 

 in not only the systoUc but Ukewise the diastolic pressure. Pea, a well- 

 trained athlete, retained a remarkably constant pulse pressure through- 

 out the entire series of observations. That the pulse pressures of Squad 

 A are noticeably lower than those of Squad B is clear in spite of the 

 almost identical systohc, diastolic, and pulse pressures of both squads on 

 the first day of the experiment. The relationship between these lower 

 values and the exact metabolic level is worthy of special attention in 

 further work. 



MODERATE MUSCULAR WORK AND BLOOD PRESSURE, SQUAD A, 



It is especially important to note the influence of moderate activity 

 upon the heart, particularly upon the blood pressure, as shown by 

 careful measurements of blood pressure prior to a walking period and 

 immediately following the walking period for the several men. To 

 secure a base-line, the cuff was adjusted prior to the walking test and 



