LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. 8. Department of Agriculture, 



Office of Experiment Stations, 

 Washington, D. 6*., September's, 100 If. 



Sir: I huve the honor to transmit herewith, and to recommend for 

 publication as Bulletin No. 150 of this Office, a report of dietaiy studies 

 carried on at the Government Hospital for the Insane, Washington, 

 n. C, by H. A. Pratt and R. D. Milner. 



The investigation covers 26 studies, four of which were made with 

 officers and attendants and the rcinainder with patients. These investi- 

 gations are interesting as affording data for use in determining dietary 

 standards and also have a decided practical value, since the knowledge 

 gained by a study of food conditions made it possible to suggest 

 improvements in the institution diet which were immediately carried 

 out, with the result that a considerable saving was possible without in 

 any way lowering the quality of the diet. In plan and scope these 

 investigations were very similar to those which were carried on for 

 the New York State Commission in Lunac}^ by Prof. W. O. Atwater, 

 chief of nutrition investigations, and the study forms a part of the 

 investigations on the food and nutrition of man conducted under his 

 immediate supervision. The statistics were gathered by Mr. Pratt 

 and the calculations were made under the supervision of Mr. Milner. 

 In planning the details of the investigation Mr. Pratt was In frequent 

 consultation with Dr. C. F. Langworthy of this Office. Mention 

 should be made of assistance rendered by Mr. A. B. Albro in the 

 preparation of the report. 



Respectfully, A. C. True, 



Directo7\ 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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