VII. DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Photographs of the soldiers were taken a few days prior to the close of the experiment, just before the men left New Haven at the termination of their work. Consequently, the pictures show the physical condition of the men after their long period of low nitrogen diet. Study of these photographs, especially those of the individuals, gives a correct idea of the appearance of the men, and shows the character of their muscular development at the close of their experimental work.
In considering these photographs, it must be remembered that the men as a class, as stated by Dr. Anderson in his Report, were not particularly well set up. It is evident, however, that the subjects were in good physical condition and had not lost any undue amount of flesh or fat. The two photographs of Fritz, facing pages [198] and [203], show him to have been in fine physical condition, with even a superabundance of fat. Steltz, on the other hand, whose photograph is shown facing page [211], was somewhat fine. This man, however, is of quite different build from his companion, Coffman, and was in excellent physical condition for certain lines of gymnastic work.
It may be well at this point to refer the reader to the photographs of W. L. Anderson and Bellis, facing pages [440] and [442]. These men, typical Yale athletes, were in prime physical condition, and the photographs were taken prior to the experiment, at a time when they were consuming their ordinary, rich proteid diet. It is plain, by a comparison of these photographs, that Steltz was not trained to a much finer point than W. L. Anderson, although he does lack the full muscular development characteristic of the Yale athlete.
Sliney, whose photograph is found facing page [272], was likewise in a somewhat fine condition. He, however, like Steltz, was in splendid physical shape, so far as can be judged by his general health, spirits and aptitude for work. The other men of the soldier group, whose photographs are shown, were not trained down to quite the same degree. Both Sliney and Steltz, however, had essentially the same body-weight at the close of the experiment, as on their arrival in New Haven. Steltz, indeed, weighed a trifle more in April, 1904, than he did in October, 1903. Sliney, on the other hand, had lost about one pound in weight. It is obvious, therefore, that these two men do not owe their spare condition to the low proteid diet.
The photographs facing pages [136], [261], [284] and [296] illustrate some of the methods employed in attempts to improve the bodily movements of the soldiers.
Among the group of University athletes, the photographs of Stapleton, facing pages [328] and [366], show the muscular development of a typical athlete endowed with more than the usual amount of muscular tissue. These two photographs of Stapleton were taken in April, after the subject had been for several months on a low proteid diet. There is in the photographs certainly no suggestion of any loss of muscle tissue, and no evidence of physical weakness. Stapleton, as has been previously stated, was an expert in wrestling and events of that character, for which his heavy muscular build well fitted him.
The photographs of W. L. Anderson and Bellis, facing pages [440] and [442], show, on the other hand, two athletes whose characteristic build is indicative of ability as gymnasts. More graceful in form, with smaller joints, and less heavy musculature, these men, at the time the photographs were taken, were in the pink of condition, and in a high degree of training for their special fields of athletic work. Emphasis should be laid upon the fact that at the time these two photographs were taken, the men in question had not commenced to lower their daily amount of proteid food. These two photographs are introduced especially to illustrate the general physical makeup of the men belonging to the group of University athletes made use of in the experiments.