The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-04
ARMY RATIONS MUST UNDERGO
 SEVERE TESTS
BY HARRY M. HESS, JR. United Press Staff Correspondent

NOhVcU EEcSS StaH NVEECSRVA~SAp
 Chicago, June 4 -(UP)- Before the Quartermaster Corps Subsis- tence Depot gives final approval 10 food, it must stand up under the kind of field condition it will ultl- mately face.
 For ordinary camp foods, this Is not an exacting test. One of the exceptions is "Carter's Spread" type of butter designed to with stand extreme heat.
 Before "Carter's Spread" was con- sidered to be a practical camp but ter, an experimental batch of 1t was shipped unrefrigerated from Chicago to the Philippines, back through the Panama Canal, thence to New York and from New York back to Chicago.
 The most extensive tests outside the laboratory, however, were per- formed on Field Ration "K." Orig inally developed for parachute troops, 1t was first tested at Fort Benning. Ga.
 
 After the Benning tests, army technicians took TX" to other ch- matic extremes. Ski troops on Mt. Rainier were chosen to act as guinea pigs"
 In both tests, control" groups and experimental" groups were chosen from the regular troops. The control" groups were fed regular rationS and the experimental groups were given ration "K."
 Each group was given physical examinations before and after the tests to determine what effects the different rations had on bodily functions. Trained physiologists ard food experts, including Drs. Ancel Reyes, Olaf Nicholson and Austin Herschel of the University of Min- nesota, and Col. Rohland Isker of the Depot, accompanied the men.
 These and ether qualified observ- CTS took particular notice of the mems morale, physical condition at all times, efficiency, alertness and their general reatcions to the ra- tions served them.
 Fulfilled All Requirements
 During the experiments. the troops carried full equipment and engaged in maneuvers stimulating actual battle conditions. They were given comment" cards, turned in unsigned, to determine their per- sonal reactions.
 When the tests were concluded and the results tabulated, the fol- lowing facts were revealed:
 Ration TX" is adaptable to all field conditions and climates.
 It is handy to carry and presents no problems of preparation or dis .pOsa lafter consumption.
 TX" is popular with the men ex- cept for a few items which have since been replaced, and possesses appetite appeal"
 The men who suddenly switched from regular rations to TX" ration suffered no marked i'll effects. They were able to go on eating TX" and still meet the demands of modern Gast-moying combat.
 The troops maintained the re- quired amount of sugar and protetin Tn the blood. Their physical and mental condition were good.
 Human Nature to Beef
 TX" satisfied the great human desire to nibble between meals. Some of the men saved their sweets and munched as they marched.
 Men on the concentrated diet consumed no more water than men fed ratlons high in water content.
 At the conclusion Of the test, the 0MC proclaimed TX" another stride toward a new and more nearly per- feet soldier ration.
 "Oh, sure, they beef" the Depot officer said, "but it'd be a helluyan army if they didn't beef. It's human nature to want something to grouse about, and in the army its tradi- tiopai to grouse about the food.
 But we know that plnety-njne out of one hundred of the men are satisfied. They're gaining weight and they're enjoying their meals, That's the way of Judging whether ar not we're d0inQ d Ra0d iOlaH