The total time required to find and point out the numbers 1 to 50 in proper order and without skipping any is shown for both squads in tables 173 and 174. Each squad began this test at their second experimental session, i. e., the second time they came to Boston. There is thus no normal for Squad A. Many of the individual differences between the members of Squad A which were found in the other measurements are also observable here. Obviously, the best scores are those which represent the shortest time. The best averages for A are for Bro, Tom, and Vea, with scores of 127, 122, and 132 seconds, respectively. Men who required a conspicuously long time to perform the test were Spe, Mon, and Pec, who have averages of 183, 168, and 167, respectively. Spe did not have so much opportunity for practice as the others. Thus the test brings out the usual individual differences. It required 2 to 3 minutes, the average for all subjects being 147 seconds. Squad B, as shown in table 174, was definitely slower in this test than A, both in the normal and the low-diet averages. Several of the men have average scores of 200 seconds or longer. The normal average is 194 seconds, the low-diet average 178 seconds. While the average of 194 might be considered slow because of the fewer practice occasions and the longer intervals which separated them, this condition does not apply in the three reduction dates, January 13, 19, and 27, which were preceded by ample opportunity for practice.

It is therefore clear that the men of Squad B were slower in this test than the subjects in Squad A.

The averages for both squads on the different dates are compared in figure 114. Squad B is definitely below Squad A; there is somewhat of a practice effect with both groups. Squad A shows a lengthening of time on October 27, also a depression on December 8 and 19, and a marked drop on January 26. Squad B shows a depression in the curve on their first reduction date of January 13. This decline may be a mere coincidence as there is continued improvement on the two following dates, January 19 and 27. In general the curve for Squad B is more regular than that for A, but it can not be stated that there is any definite indication of an effect due to the reduction in diet.

Average discriminatory reaction time for finding and pointing to serial numbers.

Fig. 114. - Average discriminatory reaction time for finding and pointing to serial numbers.

Solid line curve represents Squad A, and broken curve Squad B.

Table 173. - Squad A - Reaction Time For Finding Serial Numbers

[Values in seconds].

Date.

Bro.

Can.

Kon.

Gar.

Gul.

Mon.

Moy

Pea.

Pec.

Spe.

Tom.

Vea.

Fre.

Av.

1917.

Oct. 13............

Ill

128

124

162

153

182

155

202

215

146

108

160

147

Oct. 27............

154

139

201

185

187

185

240

196

154

211

119

150

...

171

Nov. 10............

121

172

202

154

105

140

178

131

183

168

124

129

• • • •

144

Nov. 24............

116

139

154

146

132

163

191

166

140

162

96

116

..

141

Dec. 8............

151

145

147

137

155

205

156

106

177

158

132

132

..

150

Dec. 19............

135

154

148

179

134

131

106

167

14ft

..

150

157

..

155

1918.

Jan. 12............

109

120

146

137

145

117

125

150

173

..

106

116

.

130

Jan. 26............

147

161

162

142

155

234

146

220

186

..

131

126

...

165

Feb. 2............

101

122

148

133

96

184

112

88

142

..

95

150

..

122

Low-diet average..

127

142

164

149

141

168

158

153

167

183

122

132

160

147

Table 174. - Squad B - Reaction Time For Finding Serial Numbers

[Values in seconds].

Date.

Fis.

Har.

How.

Ham.

McM.

Kim.

Lon.

Mac.

Sch.

Liv.

Sne.

Tho.

Van.

Wil.

Av.

1917

Nov. 3........

204

191

306

175

205

..

218

226

..

186

168

312

118

178

206

Nov. 17........

214

192

222

158

152

..

236

221

• •

198

240

196

162

239

206

Dec. 15........

179

269

188

171

175

248

149

173

206

142

175

184

jan 5 ........

206

172

284

129

188

207

264

193

162

150

134

173

178

Normal average.

208

184

270

163

179

207

210

232

264

182

186

216

139

191

194

1918

Jan. 13........

192

138

392

98

..

210

155

..

268

219

180

236

162

137

191

Jan 19........

186

110

216

139

..

192

190

..

251

193

206

213

154

147

175

Jan. 27........

181

144

249

161

..

209

155

..

278

133

164

215

144

143

169

Low-diet average

186

131

286

133

..

204

167

..

266

182

183

221

153

142

178