The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-03
/" THE STA RyATIoN ARrlY. ;

Inns is Inc popular name now gwen "
the squad Of United States regular sol
oilers who have been detailed to spend
nine months in the Scientific School of
Yale to undergo dietary experiment I'M
der the direction OF Professor Russell H.
Chittenden.
The object of this experiment Is to
determine what is the least quantity of
heavy food necessary to sustain health
and strength In man. The members of the
squad are now living the ordinary life of
tho barracks, but will begin shortly on
their abstinence routine, and will SO con-
unue throughout the winter. Every morn
ing they spend an hour in the Yale gym
nasium and go through a. prescribed series
OF physical exercises.
Professor Chitteuden's scheme Is based
upon prolonged study Of the effects OF
light eating on the human system. He
believes it is possible to get perfectly
satisfactory amount of work out of the
brain and body without recourse to the
heavy fare of the ordinary man. mother,
words, he believes that q certain amount
OF abstinence from food will produce in
tho long run better results In physical
health and strength than the usual solid
eating. His views have impressed the
Washington authorities: hence he has
been allowed to take this army detail
to Yale.
1t is a great pity that the Professor
did not have the opportunity of observing
the effect OF light fare and short rations
on the Confederate soldier. In that case
tho man lived upon the minimum of meat.
| without the advantage OF the maximum
of bread, and of sugar and milk he had
little or none. That he was able to keep
as we'll as he did and hold out for four
years would seem to sustain the Pro-
| feksor's theory, but the average Confed-
crate soldier was very young man.
Then, too he was sustained by lofty con-
cepuons Of duty and great personal pride
and patriotism. However, it is q fact, we
believe shat millions Of stalwart work
ingmen Of other nations live and thrive
upon very scanty meat diets
A Yale student, Horace Fletcher. who
has been experimenting for q. long time
or light diet. and who has continued his
experiment under Professor ChIttenden
/ for seven days. reports. according to the
New York Tribune, that he felt better
at the end OF tho week than when he
began, and no had paid only seventy
seven centa for his weeks board The
food that he ate cost him eleven cents a
day. He lived entirely on milk. maple
sugar and a prepared cereal. He did not
restrict himself in quantity. but kept
closely to this menu. lilo usually took
two meals q day OF this Diet.
i AS a result Of Ave years experiment..
/ Fletcher has developed strong liking
for sugar and carbohy drates In general,
/ instead OF meat diet. This. 1t Ia said
| gives him perfect health and plentiful
strength. He weighs 16o pounds and Is
a well developed man.
II was the result OF Professor Chitten-
4 denis study OF F'letchhr's case that LED
him to adopt his idea. OF handling the
army squad, The Professors conclusion
az 10 Fletchers case was that tho mar
performed his work with creator case
and with fewer noticeable had resul1
than any other man az his ago and condi
ton have over worked With" In view
OF these results. tho Professor aaks. ar
We not justified In inauirIng whether WI
have yet attained clsnr comprehension
Of tho real requirements OF tho body II
tbs matter or daily nntrimenty
Whether Fletcher wan allowed tina up
OF tobacco in ony form. or whether TN
members at tho army squad arc 10 hay
tobacco. wo arc not informed No men