96 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XLIX. No. 1256 



in no wise responsible for their use as a factor 

 in rating, having introduced the observations 

 simply as a protection to the patient, and for 

 the securing of experimental data. 



Owing to the necessity of hurrying the test 

 to application as soon as it was standardized, 

 we were not able to carry on investigations to 

 determine the ultimate significance of the test. 



Sets of experiments were several times 

 started in cooperation with the physiological 

 department, to determine the significance, but 

 the need of the officers carrying them on for 

 field work in applying the test necessitated 

 their discontinuance. It is certain that the 

 test gives a relative measure of the individ- 

 uals' ability at the time tested, to withstand 

 asphyxiation under the conditions of the test 

 — ^that is, the individuals can be given a just 

 serial order of rating, or grouped in classes 

 according to ability. It is to be hoped that 

 there will be data available some time on the 

 points of the significance of these relative 

 ratings for absolute altitudes and durations, 

 and as to their dependence on temporary psy- 

 cho-physical condition of the individuals, and 

 also as to the influence of temperature, wind- 

 stimulation, nitrogen tension and mental ex- 

 citement. 



The research done in the development of the 

 rating test laid a foundation for the develop- 

 ment of tests of psycho-physical condition or 

 "fitness," in which aviators are understood 

 to show variations having serious bearing on 

 their work and safety. (The slang term 

 " staleness" is commonly applied to the con- 

 dition of an aviator when he is markedly unfit 

 to fly for psychological causes.) The develop- 

 ment of such tests is relatively simpler than 

 the task actually accomplished in the asphyxi- 

 ation test, but the limitations of time, space 

 and staff prevented definite accomplishment 

 along this line, although substantial progress 

 was made. 



Towards the construction of such tests a 

 tactual discrimination test devised by Cap- 

 tain Sparrow is an interesting contribution. 

 Among the hopeful means also is the con- 

 trolled association reaction. The solution lies, 

 however, according to my belief, not in single 



tests but in methodical combinations as in the 

 rating test. 



There was no opportunity to investigate the 

 important psychological factors summed up in 

 the term "morale of the flier." These prob- 

 lems were committed to the "flight sur- 

 geons," * * * . 



Some important observations were made on 

 psychological causes of accidents (although no 

 research was done). From accidents in the 

 low pressure chamber, and from study of air 

 acidents, it was made evident that the pain- 

 ful stimulation of air pressiire inward on 

 the ear drum, may (aside from any lesion 

 of the membrane) produce mental incompe- 

 tence, and apparent unconsciousness. Such 

 stimulation occurs at times when exceptionally 

 rapid descents are made: sudden increase on 

 the external pressure actually tending to pre- 

 vent on account of the physics of the Eustach- 

 ian tube, the opening of the tube to equalize 

 the pressure. Unconsciousness may also oc- 

 cur, as the asphyxiation work makes obvious, 

 from the lack of oxygen, but these cases pre- 

 sent features different from the above, the 

 descent improving the situation since it in- 

 creases the oxygen supply. It was at first 

 thought that the sudden increase in oxygen- 

 supply to a patient who had nearly reached the 

 limits of his endurance, might make his con- 

 dition temporarily worse, producing an " oxy- 

 gen intoxication," so-called. The work on the 

 rating test however shows conclusively that 

 no such effect occurs; the effect of giving 

 oxygen is beneficial, whatever the patient's de- 

 gree of asphyxiation, although on account of 

 the latent period (the time required for the 

 carrying of oxygen from the alveolar air to 

 the nervous system) the symptoms may in- 

 crease for a few seconds. 



Of the work carried on by Captain Strattou, 

 I shall not speak, as I imagine he would 

 prefer to report it himself. Moreover, my 

 only function in regard to it was to secure its 

 transfer from the Air Service to the Medical 

 Service, thinking thereby to give him in- 

 creased facilities. 



* * * concerning the nystagmus test for 

 aviation candidates, the Psychology Depart- 



