Systolic And Diastolic Blood Pressure, Squad B

Since we have no basal data for the men in Squad A, i. e., measurements prior to dietetic restriction, the values found for Squad B have a special interest, as observations were made with these men the night preceding the beginning of their dietetic restriction (January 5, 1918). The data obtained for Squad B on January 5 and on the subsequent nights, January 13, 19, and 27, 1918, are given in table 77. The normal values for systolic pressure obtained on January 5 ranged from 105 mm. with Kim, Tho, and Wil, to a maximum of 142 mm. with Sch. The average systolic pressure for the 11 men was 120 mm. The diastolic pressure for this date ranged from 75 mm. with Tho, to 90 mm. with Fis, Sch, and Van. The average diastolic pressure for the 11 men on this day was 83 mm.

Table 77. - Blood-Pressure Measurements - Squad B

1 All blood-pressure measurements were taken with the Tycos sphygmomanometer, with the subject sitting. 2 Blood-pressure measurements were obtained with McM on Jan. 5, as follows: Systolic, 110; diastolic, 75; pulse pressure, 35.

One week later (January 13) the systolic pressure had fallen in every case, with the single exception of Kim, with whom there was an increase of 15 mm. As a rule, the fall in systolic pressure was not far from 15 to 20 mm., the average systolic pressure for this date being 102 mm. Thus the contention is correct that the systolic pressure noted with Squad A on October 13, one week after the low diet began, represented a distinctly lower level than would have been found had these men been measured prior to the dietetic reduction. It is quite probable, therefore, that an addition of from 10 to 20 mm. to the average systolic blood pressure of October 13 with Squad A should be made to indicate the probable blood pressure of these men prior to dietetic reduction, although the total calories in the diet were much less proportionately with Squad B than with Squad A, and undoubtedly the drafts upon body-material were considerably greater for Squad B during this week. Nevertheless, there must have been a noticeable fall in systolic pressure with Squad A in the week which preceded October 13.

In the two weeks following January 13 there was with Squad B a distinct tendency for the systolic pressures to fall still lower. With Fis and Har, this fall was 15 mm.; with How a slight rise took place; with Ham the pressure rose, then fell again; with Kim the pressure fell in the later measurements from 120 to 85 mm., a fall of 35 mm. Lon, who was not included in the first measurements and hence was measured for the first time after a week's restriction in diet, showed essentially constant blood pressures for the rest of the experiment. With Sch a drop of 20 mm. occurred, with Liv but 5 mm., with Sne there was no further change, with Tho there was a drop of 10 mm., with Van the fall varied from 10 to 5 mm., and with Wil there was a tendency to a slight rise.

The average values given in the last column of table 77 are again open to criticism owing to the absence of Lon on January 5,1918. The minimum average value is 94 mm. on January 27, with a total fall from normal of 26 mm. This minimum of 94 mm. compares with the 95 mm. found as an average value with Squad A on February 2, but is somewhat higher than the actual minimum of 89 mm. found on two nights (December 8 and 19) with Squad A.

Profound alterations in the diastolic pressure likewise appear, even in so short a period of undernutrition as three weeks. Comparing the records for the beginning and end of the observations we find that the diastolic pressure fell from normal with Ham, Sch, and Liv, 25 mm., with Fit, Har, Kim, and Van, 20 mm., with Wil and How, 15 mm., with Sne and Tho, 10 mm. Diastolic pressures of 65 mm. or below are noted with all of the subjects but Fis and Sne. The absolute lowest value was 55 mm. which was found with Ham and Liv on January 27.

The average diastolic pressure for 11 men prior to the restricted diet was 83 mm. on January 5, 1918, and the lowest average diastolic pressure was 64 mm., this occurring on the last day. This average value of 64 mm. is exactly that noted with Squad A. It is of special interest that one week of a reduced diet, containing only 1,400 net calories, lowered the systolic pressure of 11 men from 120 to 102 mm. and the diastolic pressure from 83 to 69 mm.