THE FOOD PROBLEM 275 



in the army it was decided to formulate a new ration to be 

 called the " training ration " which was especially worked out 

 so as to avoid the considerable waste which occurred in con- 

 nection with the old ration. This "training ration" provided 

 for a protein content of 127 gr., a fat content of 135 gr. and 

 a carbo-hydrate content of 575 gr., giving a total fuel value 

 of 4132 calories. This new " training ration " was consider- 

 ably in excess of the rations in vogue in the British, Canadian, 

 French, and Italian armies. The British Home ration for 

 May, 1918, provided 3483 calories; the Canadian ration for 

 July, 1918, provided 2946 calories; the French normal ration 

 for March 29, 1918, provided 3604 calories; .the Italian Ter- 

 ritorial for February I, 1917, provided 2797 calories. 



Elaborate studies were made by the War Department's Divi- 

 sion of Food and Nutrition on the effect of season on food 

 consumption, on the actual consumption of food as effected 

 by the length of time in camp, on the food consumption in the 

 army compared with other occupations, and on the variations 

 in waste and strength of the men in relation to their food con- 

 sumption. Many of the facts and statistics thus found out 

 will be of great value in the future wise determination of the 

 American Army ration as well as in their significance for mass 

 feeding generally. 



However, this work only throws light upon the feeding of 

 men of certain conditions of age and physique. There is quite 

 as necessary a further scientific knowledge of the proper feed- 

 ing of women, adolescents, and infants, both as mass feeding 

 and individual feeding. < The experiences of the war have 

 created a special interest in this problem and the people are 

 ready, as perhaps never before, to take an interest in an in- 

 vestigation of the problem and to listen to, and make use of, 

 the results of such an investigation. ) Therefore, the National 

 Research Council, solicitous to encourage all scientific investiga- 

 tion, especially such as may have an immediate value in the 

 maintenance and increase of the national well-being, has or- 

 ganized a special committee on food and nutrition in connection 



