Evening star., 1925-08-16
EIGHT DANCE AWAY
SLUMBER IN TEST.
Ninth Marathoner Takes to
Bed for Six Hours in
G. w. u. Research.

It's 3 o'clock in the morn-n-n-n-n-
ing"
To the Unconditional squeaks of
rasping but profoundly noisy music
box, eight of the nine sleep-dodging
marathoners bent on a winkless fast
of so consecutive hours were dancing
much as a nod in a secluded room at
George Washington University early
this morning.
The ninth, DIR. William Middleton,
of Falls Church, Va, having COM
pleted his forty-second hour without
sleep exactly at midnight, took to his
bed for a blissful SIX hours, as a part
of the test scientists are making to de-
termine just what effect lack of sleep
has on persons of different sexes,
different ages and varied intellectual
trainings.
Ages From II to 33.
The nine men and women engaged
in the test range in age from II to
80: four are girls, all under %, and
the others men; some are candidates
for the degree of doctor of philosophy
while others have completed average
educations and are now taking their
places in the business world. Half
are ardent coffee drinkers, the others
total abstainers.
DR.. Fred A. Moss, head of the psy-
chology department of George Wash
ington University, himself one of the
nine and in direct charge of the sleep
clinic, discussed the test freely for the
first time last night. He pointed out
that not only are the observers seek
ing to obtain accurate information as
to the mental and physical effect of
sleeplessness. but that they are trying
to settle moot questions Of long
standing, too.
Many Questions Studied.
I'VE are having those who are ac-
customed to caffeine drink plenty of
coffee and Coca Cola, while the others
are made to abstain completely" he
said. by this we hope we shall OBJ
tain some accurate information as to
the effect caffeine may have upon
sleep. Then, too, we are trying to
learn whether younger persons need
more rest than older ones, or vice
versa. The problem of sleep upon
mental capacities is being considered
also"
In the case of DIR. Middleton, the
uOStOio SIldl are 10 as
certaip whether a person is benefited
more by just few hours sleep during
prolonged fast or by continuing the
fast uninterrupted. After the pre-
scribed six hours, DIR. Middleton will
again join his teammates and con-
tfnue out the test with them until s
O'Clock this evening. when all will go
to bed for IL full hours.
, Possibly none of these taking the
test show the effects of 1t so much
as DR.. Moss himself. Dr.. Moss has
not only had to stand the strain of
going without his usual amount OF
rest, but he has been constantly TAX
ing notes and putting his charges to
severe mental tests at stated hours.
In addition, he has been making Ger.
tain statistics of medical nature dur.
ing the early morning hours.
Little Difference Noted.
Aside from some mighty sleepy.
looking eyes, none of the nine in the
test shows any noticeable effects
When reporter for The Star called
last night, DIR. and Mrs. w c. Can
trell were entertaining the group with
folk dances. Told to compare the ap-
pearance of DIR. Cantrell, who had en-.
joyed his usual amount of sleep the
night before. the reporter noticed lit
Continued on Page 4, Column So