The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-10-30
NOW DRINK SQUAD
Clerks in Chemistry Depart
ment Aiding Science.
DOZEN ENTER DR.. WILEY'S TEST
Government Chemist Determined to
Ascertain Effects Upon the Human
System of Various soft Drinks sup
posed To Contain Cocaine, Choral
Hydrates, and other Drugs.

Twelve volunteers from among the
clerks Of the Bureau of Chemistry, United
States Department Of Agriculture, nave
laid their stomachs upon the altar of their
country in the interest OF science.
The food tests 10 be begun early IN
November under the personal direction Of
Or. II. w Wiley, chief chemist. Will be
enlarged in scope TO include more than
10 soft drinks selected from among those
usually dispensed at soda fountains. The
food tests will continue as heretofore,
but the volunteer subjects will be given
other beverages widely advertised as in
vigOratOrs, uerye-restOrers, and brain
stimulants. The government chemist has
determined to ascertain from actual tests
the effects upon the human system Of
these various drinks known or supposed
to contain cocaine. caffeine. chloraI hy-
drates, or opium.
New Poison squad.
The tests have been running for five
years. They were begun iu November Of
one year and concluded in the following
July. The new poison squad is com
posed of volunteers, ranging from twenty
10 thirty years Of age. Heretofore 1t has
been necessary 10 go outside the Bureau
Of Chemistry to make up the miniature
army anxious and willing 10 eat and
drink FOR their country This year the
enlistments are all IN the Bureau Of
Chemistry. and this fact. Dr. Wiley be
lieves, ought 20 prove 90 the public that
the treatment is not cruel. for, II Il
We're, the trained scientific employees.
who have watched the experiments for
FIVE years, would not be ready TO vol
unteer.
Each recruit is examined physically,
and his portion Of food weighed OF meas
ured. Each must subscribe 10 TWO writ
ten pledges. one 10 take no food or
drink outside that prescribed by the test.
and the other eXemptiug the government
officers from any liability for damages
on account OF sickness or injury 10 the
subject on account OF the tests.
DIT Wiley says that only three men
have violated tie first obligation I'm the
fiIe years tests lie insists, also, that no
injury has resulted 90 any subject. As
soon as the dieting produces unfavor-
able symptoms il is discontinued. Tie
food is usually administered for sixty
days, ana then the SUBJECT is renewed
for twenty days. during which time
every trace OF the treatment is eradi-
Gated The soft drinks 70 be tested for
impurities viii be administered three
times a day.
His Personal Attention.
Dr. Wiley viii give his personal at
teution 10 the class. He will reach the
department every morning at : o'clock
and remain until after dinner is served.
The breakfast hour viii be S o'clock.
Lunch will come at noon, and dinner at
o'clock.
The result Of the experiments will be
! preserved in official reports Already
/ the government mas issued volumes en-
/ bodying what the tests showed as 10
/ the effects Of borax and saHcylic acid on
I the human system. The volumes on sui
I phUrOus acid and benz0ate acid are now
I in press, and those on sUlphate Of cop
/ per, fOrmaldehyde and saItpeter are
ready for the printer.
/ The experiments have attracted wide
/ spread attention. Dr. Wiley has re-
ceived a request from Prof Foster, pro
/ fessor of physiology IN the University OF
/ StrasbUrg. for a copy OF the reports.