REDUCED DIET AND SEX EXPRESSION. 639 



important matters if he is to be of maximum service to the Young 

 Men's Christian Association. Thus the subjects of our investigation 

 were accustomed to regard and discuss sex matters from a different 

 point of view than would be the case with most groups of men or, we 

 might say, with ahnost any other group of men. These men were 

 neither prudish nor vulgar-minded. They were a clean group of 

 honest, virile men and with no venereal diseases. 



On February 8 and 9 one of us was in Springfield for the purpose of 

 interviewing the men of both squads with regard to changes from 

 reduced diet to the uncontrolled eating. An individual interview was 

 arranged with each man. The conditions were entirely appropriate 

 to holding such personal interviews. Each conference was begun by 

 discussing the topics of clothing and cold, ability for physical and 

 mental work, and the condition of the stomach and bowels, on the 

 uncontrolled diet in contrast to the conditions prevailing during the 

 experiment. The men discussed these topics freely and full notes 

 were made. Finally, we asked if in the contrast between low diet and 

 uncontrolled eating they had noticed any change in the sex desires 

 or interest. Before the men could reply, it was pointed out that sug- 

 gestion and introspection are particularly prominent elements influ- 

 encing the sex factor, and therefore it was not deemed wise to question 

 on this topic during the experiment. On the other hand, since the sub- 

 ject has a large possible importance physiologically and sociologically, 

 it could reasonably be mentioned at this point. Any personal candid 

 opinion the subject might be willing to express concerning his own case 

 would be appreciated and considered as personally confidential. 



Following the first direct answer by the subject, he was asked to 

 make the matter specific in his own case under such topics as nocturnal 

 seminal emissions; tendency to erection; desire for and sex appeal at 

 dance and occasions of association with women; sex appeal of shows, 

 pictures, and books; and any other conditions peculiarly individual 

 where sex might be a factor. Furthermore, he was asked to give any 

 comments concerning dreams. Every effort was exercised to make 

 the questions neutral. We could in no wise anticipate what would be 

 revealed by the group of interviews. It is gratifying to record that 

 not one of the 24 subjects took the matter as a joke or objected to 

 having notes made from his comments. 



The detailed evidence is published in full elsewhere,^ and is pecu- 

 liarly uniform. The usual statement was about as follows: 



"In my own case I am convinced that sex desires were much less prominent 

 during the low-diet period than under normal conditions. I had no attrac- 

 tions to the opposite sex and did not care to be with them. This condition in 



^Miles, The sex expression of men living on a lowered nutritional level, Journ. Nervous and 

 Mental Disease, 1919, 49, p. 208. 



