154 
PSYCHOLOGY: W. R. MILES 
The measurements taken by the 'individual method' employed much 
technical apparatus. The general nature of these observations is indicated 
above. The apparatus was distributed in three rooms, which opened off a 
common hallway, and with the aid of two assistants it was possible to make 
psychological measurements with four of our subjects at the same time, each 
man serving a total of about seventy minutes. The measurements were 
grouped according to expediency. Nos. 6, 11, 16 and 17 (strength of grip, 
finding serial number, traversing the maze, and the clerical tasks) were such 
that two subjects could work in one room without disturbing each other. 
Nos. 8, 10, and 15 (patellar reflex, word reactions, and finger movements) 
formed a convenient group for a second room, since they all relied on the 
Blix-Sandstrom kymograph for chronographic record. The thresholds for 
vision and electric shock were determined in the third room, the main psycho- 
logical laboratory. In this room, also, the distinctive measurements for the 
morning sessions were made. These included Nos. 7, 9, and 14, i.e., changes 
in pulse rate with exertion, reaction time of the eye, and speed of eye move- 
ments, together with more determinations of strength of grip and finger 
movement speed. 
Most of the techniques used in the low-diet research, particularly those 
given by the individual method, had been previously elaborated in connection 
with other problems with the object of securing measurements and procedures 
which could be repeated on the same individual without large practice changes. 
Great care has been taken to make the measurements as objective and free 
from personal bias as possible; it will be noted that most of them have a dis- 
tinct physiological trend. The avoidance of all practice effect and influence 
from changes in interest and attention is an ideal which of course is never 
quite reached in psychological investigation; however, the fortnight interval 
between sessions was a favorable circumstance for minimizing these factors 
in the present work. 
Careful instructions preceded each measurement, both group and indi- 
vidual, and it is a pleasure to record the remarkable cooperation and serious 
attitude of the men who served as subjects. 
It has not been possible thus early to get all the data into final form for 
comparison. Pending this it is unwise to make dogmatic statements. Final 
results are available for some of the measurements and the samples given in 
the table are thought to be representative. Separate averages for the two 
groups of men are presented in parallel columns headed 'D. S.' (Diet Squad; 
these men were on low diet from October 4, 1917, until February 3, 1918) 
and 'C. S.' (Control Squad; these students continued their normal diet up to 
January 8, 1918, and were then on reduction until January 28, 1918). The 
values in black face type are under normal condition of diet. 
