The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-06-05
IS Coffee a Poison?'
POISON SQUAD MEMBER
COLLAPSES UNDER TEST
Philadelphia Student in Serious Con.
dition for a Time, But Has
Recovered.
COMPANIONS ARE SICK
Every Member Of Band Suffers Nausea
as Result of Caffeine Elk. ,
periments. aN

suits have followed the feeding of caf-
feline, a drug lurking in chocolate as
well as coffee, to the eight student
members OF the poison squad" Of the
Hahnemann Medical College here. All
have been subject to severe headaches
and serious attack of nausea, while
one member Of the squad was in such
a serious condition after taking the
caffeine laden water for the first twen-
ty days that he had to be placed in
a special ward in the hospital. He re-
ceived constant attention, has recov-
cred and at the college is said to have
rejoined the squad,
The poison squad at the Hahne-
mann college was formed very quiet
ly. 1t came into existence on March
/ and is under the direct supervision
of DR.. Edmund T. Nesbit, director OF
the Herring laboratory OF the college.
DR.. Nesbit called for volunteers
from among the students. He said he
wanted men who were willing TO do
something for the benefit of humane
ty at large, even though II might be
to their own discontinue. Twenty
FIVE students volunteered. OF these
fourteen of the most perfect physically
were chosen. eleven as regular mem
bers OF the squad and three as alter
mates. . D
For thirty days the members of the
squad were given doses of caffeine
while DIR. Nesbit and his assistants
made personal observations, taking the
pulses and temperature of the mem
bers of the squad and making notes
on their general physical condition. 1t
was not until within the last few days
that one member Of the squad weak
ened under the experiment to such an
extent that 1T was necessary to send
him to the hospital. DR.. Nesbit refuses
to reveal the name OF the student who
collapsed, but declares that through
proper treatment Immediately he o o
. . . . .
The caffeine was administered in a
solution and was mixed with the water
the squad drank. The students did not
know when they were getting the caf-
feline. There were no stated times for
giving it in order to keep the mind
Of the student free from worry In
order that the physical condition might
not be changed materially through the
action of the brain.
Before joining the poison SQUAD
each student had to sign a release
against any action for damages against
the college.
The laboratory was organized about
fifteen months ago with DR.. Nesbit as
director, and almost Immediately an
exhaustive study was started to as
certain the destructive qualities OF
caffeine as used in food stuffs. . .
The students continued to live at the
dormitories or at boarding houses, but
they were required to take their meals
at the training table located in the
hospital near the diet kitchen. Be-
fore each meal the temperature was
recorded, the pulse and respiration
were taken and the blood pressure was
tested. During the period the drug
was administered only DIR. Nesbit knew
the amount apportioned to each mar
and when and In what quantity 1t
was administered.
New York Sunday IL, 1912.
Philadelphia. May 11.-Serious re-