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.