Finally, it is of interest to compare the body-weight of the men at the end of the reduction periods with the normal standards to find what proportion of the men after a prolonged reduction in diet would be classed as underweights according to the Medico-Actuarial Mor-tality Investigation standards. This comparison is also shown in tables 9 and 10. For this purpose the body-weights given for the subjects are not necessarily those obtained at the end of the experiment, but the actual minimum weights recorded during the whole period of the observations. With Squad A these were found in the majority of instances about December 20, 1917; with Squad B the minimum weight was in every instance coincidental with the final weight taken on January 28.

When we compare the standard values with the minimum body-weights for the members of Squad A (see columns a, d, and e in table 9), we find that at their minimum weight 8 of these men were distinctly under normal weight, while only 2 were more than 1 kg. overweight (Can and Kon). The greatest differences found for these subjects are those between their initial and minimum weights; these differences are given in column /. The greatest loss on this basis is found with the heaviest man, Can, namely, 11 kg. The smallest loss was with one of the lighter men, Tom, this being only 5.2 kg.

With Squad B (see columns a, g and h, table 10), we find 6 of the men were still above normal weight after the period of greatly restricted diet, but the other 6 men had a weight below normal. The greatest difference was shown by Tho, who was 8.7 kg. under normal weight.

Since their loss in weight caused not a little anxiety on the part of parents and friends of these young men, who at times feared that the subjects were jeopardizing their health by too great a reduction in weight, the minimum weights of the men in Squad A are compared in table 9 with the acceptable weights for life insurance of men of similar age and height. It is the custom of a large number of life insurance companies to allow an underweight of 25 per cent on accepted risks, without special consideration on the part of the company. Other companies, more conservative, make an allowance of but 20 per cent. We have, therefore, computed for each of the men in Squad A the normal weight less 20 per cent for comparison with the minimum weight for these men. It is unnecessary to do this for the men in Squad B, since their weight reduction at no time approached the 20 per cent limit. From the figures in column h, table 9, it can be seen that no member of Squad A, including even Tom, who had the smallest initial weight, reached the limit which would cause his rejection by a life insurance company on the ground of underweight. When it is considered that the weight reduction for the whole squad averaged but 12 per cent, it is evident that in reality there were no grounds for apprehension, for even at this low weight the men were, on the basis of body-weight alone, eligible as risks with the best life insurance companies.