No reader will doubt the fact that members of Squad A, during the experiment, sometimes found it more difficult to concentrate their attention upon their studies and to sit quietly at work. Who has not at times noted in himself greater difficulty in continuing at such work when the meal time was near at hand or when he was about to start on a journey? It must be apparent to anyone that there were many details about the experiment which called for the cooperation of the subjects, and so, for their attention. It was an added burden and interest which their fellows did not have to carry; it entailed many individual appointments and group meetings, as well as the regular trips to Boston, which occupied Saturday and a portion of Sunday.

1Langfeld reported depression and irritability in the case of L, who fasted 31 days at the Nutrition Laboratory (See Benedict, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 203, 1915, p. 191). The experimental program no doubt became more monotonous in the fasting than in this low-diet investigation.

There were new apparatus and scientific methods for them to become acquainted with and interested in. These things could not otherwise than distract their attention somewhat from regular duties. Hence, when a man reports that he has not accomplished much studying during the previous days or has not had much desire to study, those who are acquainted with college life will recognize at once that this is not a condition peculiar to a restricted diet. Considering the experiment as a whole, the men did much more than they could originally have expected to be called on to do, but even so, there was very little complaining, and it was always easy to cheer them up and enlist their support. They proceeded with their college work as usual, regarded the whole thing somewhat as a joke, and made fun of themselves and of others in connection with the matter of eating. Not one of the men would be willing to have the experience omitted from his life.1

Aside from some feelings of weakness and discomfiture especially prominent at times of active weight reduction, and some scattering of attention incident to the experiment, the reduced diet as such seems to have had no detrimental influence on the ability for mental work. Several subjects were convinced that their minds were clearer during the diet period and that they were relieved from the annoying tendency to sleep after meals, which tendency returned and was prominent with the excessive eating following the experiment. Some variety of work was found particularly desirable. If at those times, when thoughts of food were especially persistent, and hunger prominent, the subject had some light physical activity to which he could turn, the time until the next meal seemed greatly shortened.