20 



average, and for desserts and fruits about 35 and 25 per cent, respec- 

 tively. If one's tastes permit it, this is a considerable economy, 

 since neither desserts nor fruits furnish nutrients at a low cost. It 

 is noticeable that liberal use was made of sugar, which, as already 

 pointed out, was supplied without extra charge. The subject thus 

 dispensed with the usual expenditure for sirups, etc. For the whole 

 dietary, the quantities of digestible protein and available energ}^ show 

 a steady decrease toward a minimum in period 3. The average for 

 the three periods was 84 grams digestible protein and 2,795 calories 

 of available energy, or 91.5 and 103.5 per cent, respectively, of the 

 quantities in the commonly accepted dietary standard for a man of 

 sedentary habits. 



Although the quantities of protein and energy in the last period were 

 9 and 6 per cent lower, respectively, than in period 2, the cost was 

 about 3.3 cents, or 10 per cent higher, owing in part to a greater pro- 

 portionate expenditure for fish, desserts, and beverages, which were 

 all relatively expensive foods. A corresponding deficit occurs in the 

 case of dairy products, cereals, and breads. Perhaps a more potent 

 factor in this drop in the value of the ration during period 3 was the 

 diminished bujdng power of 1 cent when expended on some of the 

 more important articles. Calculations show, for example, that for 1 

 cent spent on combination meals in period 2, Subject B obtained 2.5 

 grams of digestible protein and 69.5 calories of available energy, 

 whereas in period 3 he obtained only 1.8 grams and 58.5 calories, or, 

 respectively, 72 per cent and 83 per cent as much. When we remem- 

 ber that the combination meals furnished about 30 per cent of the 

 total nutrients, it is evident that the effect of their use on total cost 

 must be considerable. 



Since a similar falling off in the amounts of nutrients without pro- 

 portionate decrease in cost was noticed not only in this particular case, 

 but in the majority of the dietaries here reported, it is difficult to 

 account for it on the assumption of less prudent selection of food by 

 the men during the last period. It seems more probable that there 

 was a gradual rise in the price of the dishes toward the end of the 

 3'ear, or, what amounts to the same thing, a general diminution in the 

 weights or the proportion of nutrients in the orders. 



At the end of the spring period (period 3) Subject B weighed 136 

 pounds, or 4.2 pounds more than at the begmning of the study. A 

 corresponding slight increase was observed in his anthropometric 

 measurements. His general strength as shown by the testing machines 

 increased less than the average. In point of general physical condi- 

 tion no material change was noted. 



As regards mental work the grades attained in his examinations were 

 about those of the average student. However, for a man with many 



