II. EXPERIMENTS WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM THE HOSPITAL CORPS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
The original Detachment from the Hospital Corps of the United States Army detailed to serve in this series of experiments arrived in New Haven September 28, 1903, under the command of Dr. Wallace DeWitt, 1st Lieutenant and assistant Surgeon of the United States Army. The detail was composed of twenty men, of whom fourteen were privates, volunteers for the experiment, the remainder being made up of non-commissioned officers, cook, cook’s helper, etc. The detachment was located in a convenient house on Vanderbilt Square belonging to the Sheffield Scientific School, and there they lived during their six months’ stay in New Haven under military discipline, and subject to the constant surveillance of the commanding officer and the non-commissioned officers.
In selecting the men for the experiment particular attention was paid to securing as great a variety of types as possible, representing different nationalities, temperaments, etc. Naturally, among such a group of enlisted men brought together for the purpose in view many were found unsuited for various reasons, and were quickly exchanged for others better adapted for the successful carrying out of the experiment. Several quickly deserted, apparently not relishing the restrictions under which they were compelled to live. The restriction which constituted the greatest hardship in the eyes of several of the men was the regularity of life insisted upon, and the consequent restraint placed upon their movements in the city when relieved from duty. The following Statement from Dr. DeWitt will explain the causes of removal of the men who dropped out of the experiment during the natural sifting process of the first few weeks and later.
Hospital Corps Detachment U. S. Army,
332 Temple St., New Haven, Conn.,
March 17, 1904.
Professor Russell H. Chittenden,
Director Sheffield Scientific School,
New Haven, Conn.
Sir,—In compliance with your verbal request concerning men of this detachment lost by transfer and desertion and the reasons therefor, I have the honor to inform you that the following men were lost by transfer, at my request, for the reasons set after their respective names:
Private Edward Mcdermott (October 17, 1903). Mentally and morally unsuited.
Private Paul Forkel (October 18, 1903). Physically unsuited.
Private David Acker (October 24, 1903). Physically unsuited by reason of Acute Pulmonary Tuberculosis Bilateral.