PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS. 551 



RESULTS OF NEURO-MUSCULAR AND PSYCHOLOGICAL 

 MEASUREMENTS. 



The laboratory measurements used in the psychological phase of 

 this research on the effects of short rations have been described in 

 an earlier chapter. (See p. 137.) It will suffice here to note that 

 careful instructions preceded each measurement. At the first two 

 sessions with each squad the instructions were fairly detailed. Later 

 it was only necessary to emphasize the chief points, each of which 

 could be called to the subject's mind by a word or two from the one 

 taking the measurement. In the group work the instructions were 

 always detailed. It is a pleasure to record the serious attitude, the 

 remarkable cooperation, and general fine spirit of the men who served 

 as subjects in both Squads A and B. They readily consented to do 

 whatever was asked of them. There was no tendency to beg to be 

 excused, to shirk, or, on the other hand, to frustrate experimental 

 plans. In the matter of willingness and attitude the men who served 

 left little to be desired. 



Attention has been called (p. 491) to the conditions which made 

 it imperative to begin the reduction in diet almost immediately after 

 the opening of the college year. These circumstances of course ren- 

 dered it impossible to secure an adequate base-line in the psycho- 

 logical measurements with Squad A. The men came to the Labora- 

 tory only once (September 29) before the reduction in diet commenced, 

 this beginning October 4. Of course one session, and particularly 

 an initial session, is not adequate for a normal in most of these 

 measurements. On the first evening the experimental program natur- 

 ally progressed more slowly, since it was necessary to give complete 

 instructions to all the subjects, none of whom were familiar with any 

 of the tests. Moreover, there was a time limit beyond which it did 

 not seem wise to extend the evening session, since the men were also 

 to serve as subjects in the group respiration chamber during the night. 

 It was thus impossible at first to give the full program of measure- 

 ments, and hence with some tests there is no normal whatever for the 

 men of Squad A. This condition is regrettable, but could not be 

 avoided. Serious consideration was given to the possibility of taking 

 measurements on Squad A after they had returned to normal and 

 uncontrolled diet following the experiment. It will be evident to 

 anyone who examines the data and comments which relate to the con- 

 dition of Squad A during the first and second weeks following the con- 

 clusion of our investigation, that such post-diet measurements would 

 have been unsatisfactory and could not have been considered as normal 

 base lines. At that time the men grossly overate; many of them suf- 

 fered from digestive troubles, and, in general, appeared to be indulging 

 in what might be termed a "food spree." The period following such a 



