GENERAL POST-EXPERIMENTAL HISTORY. 683 



shown in table 200. The average grade in the case of these 3 men 

 shows in each instance a better average grade during the period of the 

 experiment, with the result that the 3 men fiave an average grade of 

 83.7 per cent for courses prior to September 1917, and for courses during 

 the experiment, 89.0 per cent, an average difference of 5 per cent in 

 favor of the work done during the experiment. The average for 27 

 fellow-classmen shows an average grade of 83.0 per cent prior to Sep- 

 tember and an average during the experimental period of 87 per cent. 

 Here is a difference of 4 per cent in favor of the work done this college 

 year. The three sophomores in Squad A, therefore, show the same 

 tendency as the rest of their class, but slightly more marked. Hence 

 after a careful analysis of the term grades for the many courses which 

 had previously been completed and others which were taken during 

 the period of the experiment by these men, it was found that, as a 

 group, during the 4 months' period of reduced diet, they kept their 

 college work up to their own previous standard, and were not inferior 

 to their fellow classmen. The statement of Professor Berry and some 

 of the men that the college work was of usual standard is therefore 

 clearly verified. 



GENERAL POST-EXPERIMENTAL HISTORY. 



An important part of our records of this research is the post-experi- 

 mental history of the men undergoing this experience. Questions 

 which may fairly be asked are: What condition were these men in at 

 the end of the long test? What was their history subsequent to the 

 restriction in food? Were there any permanent effects of the low diet? 

 Did the men subsequently change their dietetic habits on account of 

 their experience? 



Owing to the special conditions obtaining at the Y. M. C. A. College 

 in the spring of 1918, when a number of the men left college for Y. M. 

 C. A. military service, it became impossible to obtain such information 

 for all of the men. However, a number of them were seen personally 

 by one of us on a visit to Springfield May 21 to 22, and records were 

 made of their condition at that time. More or less data have also been 

 obtained through correspondence. A special effort has been made to 

 find whether a permanent effect of the low diet was noted by the men 

 themselves. Much of this information has already been given in pre- 

 vious sections, particularly in the section on diet. (See p. 272.) 



One general feature of the post-experimental history is the excess 

 eating immediately indulged in by the men. Considerable practical 

 experience has shown that there is danger in taking a large meal 

 immediately after prolonged starvation or even after a period of under- 

 nutrition. Evidence on this point has already been given, showing 

 that when the men were allowed uncontrolled diet, they almost invari- 

 ably overate, notwithstanding repeated cautions. This frequently 



