664 VITALITY AND EFFICIENCY WITH RESTRICTED DIET. 



not recovering from my operation as I should and my physical condition is 

 poor." February 8: Has more ''pep" and strength than at the close of the 

 diet period. 



Vea. — October 27: "Played tennis all the morning. I am feeling all right." 

 November 10: Feels about the same, except legs get a little more tired than 

 usual. Has been doing more work than usual in order to reduce. "If I could 

 eat food that would go to my legs I would feel all right. My legs are 

 weak. I notice it particularly when walking upstairs. It can not be because 

 of an over-amount of exercise." November 24: Past week much tiredness 

 in legs. January 12: Noticed a little tiredness in the legs. January 26: "This 

 week I have been tired all the time. I do not know why." May 21: "The 

 sensation of weakness in the legs was not so prominent when I was running. 

 It is all gone now." 



Certain members of the faculty were especially competent to pass 

 judgment upon the physical fitness and performance of the men. 

 They were continually observing them in their gymnasium and other 

 athletic activities. These instructors discussed the matter with us 

 very frankly. The individual interviews were on May 21, 1918. We 

 are greatly indebted to these gentlemen for the privilege of including 

 their statements which have been made from as nearly as possible an 

 unbiased point of view. They were all heartily in favor of having the 

 experiment carried out at the college and aided us in every way possible. 



Professor George B. Affleck said: "The physical endurance of the men was 

 not up to normal when they were on the diet. For one thing, they would 

 ask for the privilege of wearing their sweaters during the exercises in athletics, 

 and whenever possible they would seek to be near the radiators. Then, 

 in the athletic work, some of them tried to play hockey, others to engage in 

 the swimming and other athletic sports. Their endurance was less than in 

 previous years and also was less than that of their fellows. It is impossible 

 to say whether this was because they were physically unable to do the task 

 or were lacking in desire. It may have been partly mental attitude although 

 they seemed to want to do it and keep up with the others. I think in general 

 it might be said that the men on the diet were more passive. They did not 

 seem to feel so strongly. They certainly did not persevere in an athletic 

 contest as one would think they should. They did not have the fighting 

 spirit nor the determination to win. They were not so boisterous and 

 overflowing in spirits as the other students or as themselves before and after 

 the diet." 



Mention was made that the men complained of weakness in the 

 legs, and yet at times were seen to be running up and down stairs as 

 occasion or interest prompted. Professor Affleck commented as fol- 

 lows: 



"Yes, they complained to me a good deal about the weakness at times in 

 stair-climbing. I think it quite compatible that a man should thus complain 

 and yet be seen to run up or down stairs. This running is largely a habit. 

 Then, too, there is a good explanation, although it may not have been thought 

 of by some of the men. It takes a certain amount of time for the trouble- 

 some and more or less unpleasant sensations connected with weakness in 

 stair-climbing to come to the foreground, just as it takes time for certain 



