Part 52

Orange 100 × 0.20 = 0.200 grams. Baked potato 138 × 0.25 = 0.345 Coffee 150 × 0.06 = 0.090 Sugar 14 × 0.00 = 0.000 Butter 5 × 0.15 = 0.008 Boiled onions 110 × 0.30 = 0.330 Celery soup 150 × 0.48 = 0.720 Potato 200 × 0.26 = 0.520 Farina croquette 91 × 0.74 = 0.673 Syrup 48 + 48 = 96 × 0.024 = 0.023 Stewed prunes 113 × 0.17 = 0.192 Spinach 180 × 0.54 = 0.972 Tomato soup 150 × 0.19 = 0.285 Potato 200 × 0.46 = 0.920 Farina croquette 107 × 0.76 = 0.813 Cream pie 140 × 0.93 = 1.302 ------ Total nitrogen in food 7.393 grams. Total nitrogen in urine 6.610

Fuel value of the food 2254 calories.

NITROGEN BALANCE.—_Bellis._

Nitrogen Output. Taken in. Nitrogen in Urine. Weight of Fæces (dry).

May 18 10.030 grams. 8.35 grams. 19 6.383 9.60 20 6.769 10.67 21 9.596 8.46 51.0 grams. 22 6.876 7.71 46.0 23 7.288 5.98 27.2 24 7.393 6.61 57.5 ------ ------ ------ 181.7 grams contain 6.38% N. 54.335 57.38 + 11.592 grams nitrogen. ------ ---------------------- 54.335 grams nitrogen. 68.972 grams nitrogen.

Nitrogen balance for seven days = -14.637 grams. Nitrogen balance per day = -2.091 grams.

Average Intake.

Calories per day 2174. Nitrogen per day 7.762 grams.

THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE SUBJECTS.

Having considered the marked decline in the extent of proteid metabolism which these subjects have exhibited for a period of five months, and having shown the possibility of their maintaining body-weight and nitrogen equilibrium on a low proteid intake, coupled with a relatively small amount (low fuel value) of non-nitrogenous food, it is appropriate to consider next their physical condition under this changed mode of living. So much has been written upon the necessity of a rich proteid diet, with a corresponding rate of proteid metabolism, for the maintenance of bodily strength and vigor, that it becomes a question of vital importance to obtain data bearing upon the effect of a lowered proteid intake upon bodily strength. If, as is so widely believed, diminishing the daily proportion of proteid food below the standards set by Voit and other physiologists will result in a weakening of the muscles of the body, in decreasing the strength, vigor, and endurance of the individual, then obviously physiological economy in this direction would in the long run be uneconomical, and indeed injurious. The maintenance of body-weight and of nitrogen equilibrium on a small amount of proteid food would count for little, when compared with a gradual loss of bodily strength and vigor.

It was truly a great surprise when the systematic strength tests applied month after month to the soldiers indicated a marked gain in muscular power, which seemingly increased as the rate of proteid metabolism diminished, coincident with the decrease in the amount of proteid food fed. The dynamometer tests were applied primarily to make sure there was no falling off in strength, and when the marked gains already referred to were recorded, it was thought at first that they must be the result mainly of the systematic training the soldiers were undergoing in the gymnasium. Undoubtedly, this daily training, with the more regular and systematic methods of living, did contribute in some measure to the beneficial results obtained, but as the improvement and general gain in strength became more and more apparent, it was equally clear there were other factors involved than mere training.

The opportunity presented by the present subjects therefore was particularly desirable. These men had been in training for many months, some of them for several years, and naturally had acquired a high degree of proficiency in all kinds of athletic work, in the handling of themselves and in the handling of the apparatus, by use of which the strength tests are made.

The tests, etc., were applied exactly in the same manner as in the case of the soldier detail, description of which will be found on pages 259 and 260.

The following tables give the results of the tests—made at the Yale Gymnasium, and reported by Dr. Anderson—from January to June, for the eight men. It will be noted, however, that the record of Mr. Bellis is incomplete. This was owing to an injury to his hand, which prevented his working with the apparatus during the months of May and June.

The results presented by these tables are very important and suggestive. Every man, without exception, showed a decided improvement in his muscular power as measured by the strength tests. With many of the men the gain was progressive, with others there was noticeable—as in the case of W. L. Anderson and G. W. Anderson in the March test—a drop in some one test. This could generally be explained by some temporary cause. Thus, the March test taken by W. L. Anderson was at a time when he was under great strain in connection with an intercollegiate meet, etc. However, it is clear from the figures presented that all these men, though living on a greatly reduced amount of proteid food, and with certainly no increase in the quantity of non-nitrogenous food, showed at the end of the experiment a decided gain in muscular power. Note for example the great gain in strength shown by Schenker; in January his dynamometer tests, etc., indicated a total of 5728, while at the close of the experiment in June his record was 7135. Again, Bellis increased from 5993 to 8165, and W. L. Anderson from 6016 to 9472. Further, the men all agree in the good effect the changed conditions have had upon them, and they have, without exception, been able to do their athletic work and maintain their athletic supremacy.

STRENGTH OR DYNAMOMETER TESTS.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | ANDERSON, G. W. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | Weight. | Lung | Right | Left | Chest. | Back. | Legs. | | | | Capacity.| Hand. | Hand. | | | | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 163 | 500 | 108 | 97 | 85 | 425 | 900 | | Feb. 20 | 163 | 535 | 109 | 105 | 70 | 380 | 570 | | Mar. 20 | 159 | 530 | 110 | 103 | 75 | 410 | 720 | | Apr. 20 | 161 | 500 | 101 | 97 | 85 | 490 | 810 | | May 26 | 159 | 532 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 475 | 885 | | June 17 | 157 | 530 | 100 | 90 | 80 | 530 | 840 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | ANDERSON, W. L. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 139 | 420 | 95 | 88 | 145 | 410 | 625 | | Feb. 20 | 136 | 440 | 95 | 80 | 137 | 550 | 560 | | Mar. 20 | 135 | 430 | 95 | 85 | 140 | 510 | 570 | | Apr. 20 | 138 | 460 | 93 | 75 | 165 | 650 | 730 | | May 26 | 134 | 450 | 90 | 70 | 155 | 570 | 880 | | June 17 | 137 | 450 | 95 | 85 | 160 | 600 | 860 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | BELLIS. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 180 | 550 | 130 | 130 | 155 | 550 | 825 | | Feb. 20 | 174 | 500 | 155 | 135 | 135 | 580 | 925 | | Mar. 20 | 176 | 550 | 150 | 135 | 155 | 500 | 900 | | Apr. 20 | 177 | 510 | 160 | 150 | 150 | 560 | 1111 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | CALLAHAN. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 204 | 565 | 105 | 110 | 145 | 450 | 620 | | Feb. 20 | 193 | 560 | 120 | 120 | 145 | 440 | 590 | | Mar. 20 | 185 | 565 | 125 | 115 | 145 | 420 | 650 | | Apr. 20 | 181 | 580 | 120 | 120 | 145 | 530 | 685 | | June 18 | 184 | | 120 | 115 | 140 | 520 | 890 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | DONAHUE. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 142 | 320 | 95 | 100 | 74 | 330 | 500 | | Feb. 20 | 136 | 345 | 105 | 115 | 95 | 340 | 490 | | Mar. 20 | 137 | 400 | 110 | 95 | 100 | 340 | 710 | | May 1 | 138 | 420 | 95 | 80 | 115 | 360 | 650 | | May 26 | 137 | 425 | 103 | 90 | 135 | 430 | 570 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | JACOBUS. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 126 | 350 | 97 | 93 | 96 | 250 | 300 | | Feb. 20 | 124 | 380 | 97 | 97 | 75 | 460 | 470 | | Mar. 20 | 125 | 370 | 95 | 95 | 80 | 430 | 490 | | May 2 | 124 | 350 | 85 | 90 | 100 | 350 | 510 | | May 26 | 125 | 360 | 95 | 95 | 110 | 360 | 600 | | June 16 | 125 | 375 | 95 | 85 | 120 | 400 | 700 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | SCHENKER. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 161 | 485 | 112 | 90 | 135 | 410 | 440 | | Feb. 20 | 159 | 490 | 115 | 90 | 125 | 530 | 730 | | Mar. 20 | 158 | 500 | 100 | 95 | 120 | 550 | 780 | | Apr. 20 | 164 | 490 | 90 | 90 | 127 | 410 | 580 | | May 26 | 159 | 500 | 125 | 105 | 155 | 470 | 850 | | June 9 | 160 | 500 | 110 | 110 | 155 | 570 | 910 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | STAPLETON. | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | Jan. 20 | 170 | 520 | 105 | 105 | 155 | 455 | 570 | | Feb. 20 | 167 | 520 | 105 | 110 | 160 | 550 | 690 | | Mar. 20 | 170 | 500 | 100 | 100 | 145 | 350 | 600 | | Apr. 20 | 162 | 500 | 100 | 105 | 155 | 410 | 670 | | May 26 | 164 | 515 | 100 | 95 | 150 | 470 | 770 | +---------+---------+----------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | ANDERSON, G. W. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | Pull up. | Push up. | Vault and | Run. | Product. | Total. | | | | | Ladder. | | | | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 8 | 11 | E | 1.05 | 3300 | 4913 | | Feb. 20 | 10 | 14 | E | 1.07 | 3972 | 5206 | | Mar. 20 | 10 | 9 | E | 1.07 | 3021 | 4439 | | Apr. 20 | 13 | 11 | | 1.05 | 3864 | 5387 | | May 26 | 9 | 15 | | | 3816 | 5476 | | June 17 | 12 | 14 | | | 4082 | 5722 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | ANDERSON, W. L. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 13 | 20 | E | 0.48 | 4553 | 6016 | | Feb. 20 | 15 | 25 | E | 0.45 | 5520 | 6942 | | Mar. 20 | 11 | 15 | E | 0.47 | 3510 | 4890 | | Apr. 20 | 12 | 30 | | 1.04 | 5806 | 7519 | | May 26 | 25 | 31 | | | 7504 | 9267 | | June 17 | 30 | 26 | | | 7672 | 9472 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | BELLIS. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 10 | 13 | E | 1.06 | 4653 | 5993 | | Feb. 20 | 11 | 15 | E | 1.08 | 4615 | 6445 | | Mar. 20 | 12 | 20 | E | 1.08 | 5728 | 7568 | | Apr. 20 | 13 | 21 | | | 6035 | 8165 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | CALLAHAN. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 2 | 1 | D | 1.20 | 724 | 2154 | | Feb. 20 | 4 | 3 | F | 1.18 | 1365 | 2780 | | Mar. 20 | 5 | 4 | E | 1.15 | 1692 | 3142 | | Apr. 20 | 5 | 4 | | 1.16 | 1629 | 3229 | | June 18 | 7 | 5 | | 1.14 | 2208 | 3983 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | DONAHUE. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 12 | 12 | E | 1.04 | 3480 | 4584 | | Feb. 20 | 13 | 14 | E | 1.04 | 3753 | 4905 | | Mar. 20 | 15 | 16 | E | 1.06 | 4309 | 5664 | | May 1 | 17 | 16 | | | 4554 | 5854 | | May 26 | 17 | 16 | | | 4589 | 5917 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | JACOBUS. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 14 | 14 | E | 1.00 | 3712 | 4548 | | Feb. 20 | 15 | 15 | E | 1.02 | 3683 | 4883 | | Mar. 20 | 15 | 15 | E | 1.03 | 3810 | 5000 | | May 2 | 15 | 14 | | 1.03 | 3610 | 4740 | | May 26 | 14 | 17 | | | 3875 | 5135 | | June 16 | 15 | 19 | | | 4267 | 5667 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | SCHENKER. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 14 | 14 | E | 1.06 | 4771 | 5728 | | Feb. 20 | 14 | 15 | E | 1.07 | 4748 | 6338 | | Mar. 20 | 15 | 15 | E | 1.12 | 4830 | 6475 | | Apr. 20 | 17 | 15 | | 1.10 | 5248 | 6545 | | May 26 | 16 | 15 | | 1.08 | 5104 | 6809 | | June 9 | 17 | 16 | | | 5280 | 7135 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | | | STAPLETON. | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+ | Jan. 20 | 11 | 12 | E | 1.21 | 3961 | 5351 | | Feb. 20 | 6 | 10 | E | 1.22 | 2704 | 4319 | | Mar. 20 | 7 | 12 | E | | 3268 | 4563 | | Apr. 20 | 9 | 14 | | | 3726 | 5886 | | May 26 | 12 | 20 | | | 5248 | 6833 | +---------+----------+----------+-----------+------+----------+--------+

Naturally, in the case of these men the gain in strength recorded cannot be assigned to systematic training. The only change in their mode of living which can in any sense be considered as responsible for the improvement is the change in diet. The main fact to be emphasized, however, is that these men—trained athletes, accustomed to living on relatively large amounts of proteid food—for a period of five months reduced their intake of proteid food more than fifty per cent without loss of bodily strength, but, on the contrary, with a marked improvement in their muscular power.

Most striking is this gain in strength when compared with the very marked decline in the rate of proteid metabolism. Thus, in the case of Jacobus, the excretion of metabolized nitrogen was reduced to 7.43 grams per day as the average for the last two months of the experiment, yet his strength test showed an increase from 4548 in January to 5667 for June. Further, it must be recalled that an excretion of 7.43 grams of nitrogen means the metabolism of only 46.4 grams of proteid matter. Similarly, in the case of Donahue, a very active man whose work on the Varsity basket-ball team called for vigorous exercise, his strength test rose from 4584 to 5917 on a daily diet which led to the metabolism of only 7.39 grams of nitrogen per day, or about 46 grams of proteid matter. Further, Donahue frequently referred to the far greater freedom from fatigue he experienced on the low proteid diet, and he was clearly conscious of a distinct improvement in his physical condition.

* * * * *

The following letter from Dr. Anderson, the Director of the Yale Gymnasium, gives his estimate of the men at the end of the first three months of the experiment:

YALE UNIVERSITY GYMNASIUM, NEW HAVEN, CONN., April 12, 1904.

Professor RUSSELL H. CHITTENDEN, _Director of the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University._

DEAR SIR,—Herewith find a brief report of the physical condition and ability of the eight Yale students who are taking the special diet while engaged in active exercise.

These men, with one exception, Dr. Callahan, are experts in their special lines of avocation.

Mr. G. W. ANDERSON is a foot-ball, base-ball, and basket-ball player, as well as a crew man (not Varsity), well built and an all round athlete.

Mr. W. L. ANDERSON, a “Y” athlete (hurdler), the captain of the Yale Gymnastic Team, University Gymnastic Champion, and American Collegiate Gymnastic Champion.

Mr. H. S. BELLIS, a member of the Y. G. A., a gymnast and acrobat and in constant training.

Dr. W. H. CALLAHAN, Medical Assistant at the Gymnasium, in daily practice in the gymnasium; bowling, hand-ball, and running.

Mr. M. DONAHUE, a very muscular and versatile athlete, a foot-ball player and a Varsity basket-ball player.

Mr. C. S. JACOBUS, a “Y” athlete, a noted long-distance man, and one of the best University runners.

Mr. H. R. SCHENKER, an active member of the Y. G. A., a point winner and intercollegiate competitor in gymnastics.

Mr. JOHN STAPLETON, a wrestler and gymnast. A professional, a man of large body and great strength.

These eight men are in constant practice and in the “pink of condition.” They were in “training form” when they began the changed diet. All have lost in weight, especially Dr. Callahan, who has dropped from 204 pounds to 185 pounds in two months. Dr. Callahan is not an athlete, but is a vigorous worker in the gymnasium, being in daily and constant practice. He is liberally supplied with adipose tissue and can well afford to drop in weight.

As to the loss of weight in the other cases, it would not be wise to attribute this to the diet alone. We find that most athletes who represent the University in the big contests lose in body-weight, but I attribute this loss as much to worry and responsibility as to strict bodily activity.

These students are in a different class from the soldiers, first, because they are well educated young men, secondly, because their development was towards a specific end, the attainment of strength and skill as representative Yale athletes, and thirdly, on account of college requirements of fifteen hours per week, which time stands for study and laboratory attendance aside from the recitations. We have here a double drain on the body energy. All mental work is expensive, hence the demand upon the corporeal machinery has been very constant and strenuous.

I notice little change in the condition of the men over that of a year ago, when I had most of them with me and under like physical training.