The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-06-06
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
psrimsnts.
COMPANIONS ARE SICK

Philadelphia, May 11.-serious re-
suits have followed the feeding Of caf-
feline, a drug lurking in chocolate as
we'll as coffee, to the eight student
members of the poison squad of the
Hahnemann Medical College here. All
have been subject to sever headaches
and serious attack. of nausea, while
one member of the squad was In such
a serious condition after taking the
cafteine-laden water for the irst 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. It came into existence on March
/ and is under the direct supervision
Of DR.. Edmund 7. Nesbit, director of
the Herring laboratory Of the college,
DR.. Nesbtt called for volunteers
from among the students. He said he
wanted men who were willing TO do
something for the benefit of. hunla nj
ty at large, even though IL might be
to their own discontinue. Twenty
five students volunteered. OF these
fourteen of the most perfect physi caiIy
were chosen. eleven as regular Tnem-
bers of the squad and three as alter
mates.
For thirty days the members Of the
squad were given doses of caffeine
while DR.. 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
49, fALz& { = 80 49,.
him to the hospital. DR.. Nesbit refuses
to reveal the name of the student who
collapsed, but declares that through
proper treatment Immediately he soon
recovered. . ss
The caffeine was administered in a
solution and was mixed with the water
the squad drank. The students did not
know when they We're 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 f'poison squad"
ach student had to sign a release
against any action for damages against
the college.
The laboratory was organized about
fifteen months age 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 i've at the
dornitories 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 DR.. Nesbit knew
the amount apportioned to each man
and when and in what quantity it
was administered.
Ynrk Snn-Mav 70 1919