CPS Unit Number 115-10

CPS Unit Number 115-10

Camp: 115

Unit ID: 10

Title: Massachusetts General Hospital

Operating agency: OSRD

Opened: 10 1943

Closed: 10 1946

Workers

Total number of workers who worked in this camp: 5

  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    Harold Blickenstaff. University of Minnesota Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    Digital image from the C.D. Smith Papers in Civilian Public Service: Personal Papers & Miscellaneous Material (DG 056), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    7th week of semi-starvation. Weight 119.5. (starting weight 2/12/45: 136.5). Nose clip, mask & hose used for controlling gas expelled during respiration. University of Minnesota Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    Digital image from the C.D. Smith Papers in Civilian Public Service: Personal Papers & Miscellaneous Material (DG 056), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
    March 27, 1945
  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    University of Minnesota Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    Digital image from the C.D. Smith Papers in Civilian Public Service: Personal Papers & Miscellaneous Material (DG 056), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    Taking water & air temperature for seawater experiment/s (Milton Gold). Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
    Digital image from the American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG 002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
    1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115 subunits 17 & 18
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunits 17 & 18, University of Minnesota.
    Minneapolis Semi-starvation CPS unit.
    Digital Image © 2011 Brethren Historical Library and Archives. All Rights Reserved.
  • CPS Camp No. 115 subunits 17 & 18
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunits 17 & 18, University of Minnesota.
    Earl Heckman, from Rocky Ford, Colorado, on a treadmill as he takes electrical stylus through a pattern maze - tests coordination and records it automatically; February 28, 1945.
    Digital Image © 2011 Brethren Historical Library and Archives. All Rights Reserved.
    February 28, 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 30
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 30
    Civilian Public Service unit 115 human guinea pigs, at University of Illinois; front, left to right, Elmer Fricke, Howard Blosser, Dwane Houghan; back, left to right, George Nachtigal, Henry Tobyes, Paul Blosser.
    Digital image at Mennonite Church USA Archives, North Newton, Kansas
    ca. 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 3
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 3
    Pulse was a newsletter published at Camp 115, subunit 3.
    Digital image from the American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG 002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    The Weekly Grunt was a newsletter published by the men at Camp 115, subunit 33, from July through September 1944.
    Digital image from the American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG 002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS man on tilt board during dehydration experiment.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    Man [Peter Watson?] riding on bike on dehydration against electrical brake, 10 minutes every hour.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    A pressure test. Effect on the system when a man in the heat and dehydrated, puts his hand in cool water.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    Taking blood from a CPS man in the heat to discover any unusual effects from taking blood when the veins are dilated due to heat.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPSer receiving injection before salt water experiment, 1943.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    Salt Water experiment. Respirator mechanism, 1943.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPSer breathing into respirator during Salt Water experiment, 1943.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPSer being hooked up? or blood pressure taken? for salt water experiment, 1943.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    Milton Gold at Camp 115, subunit 10.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    9 C.O.’s are serving as ‘guinea pigs’ in experiments at the University of Minnesota to determine international standards regarding the minimum amount of vitamins necessary to sustain healthy adult life. Results should be valuable in making possible better use of available supplies, especially during the postwar period. Two of the men [George Cain and Walter Carlson] serve as lab technicians as well. 1943.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    Fluoroscope is used to check internal effects of a deficient diet. Norman Miller and Dr. Taylor.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    Trevor Sandness weighing a mouse.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
    Deficient diets taste good, but… Trevor Sandness, Walter Carlson, Norman Miller, Sel Copeland, Jack O’ Leary, Joe Blair, Wilbur Dunbar, George Caine, Harold Guetzkow.
    Digital image from American Friends Service Committee: CPS Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Innoculation day at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    The "Boss", Major Abernathey, at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Pinehurst, North Carolina.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Check up at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Room at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Room at Pinehurst. One of the pennants reads "Luray Caverns".
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Car at Pinehurst, North Carolina.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Passing time at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Men in masks at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
    Getting some sunshine at Pinehurst.
    Manchester University Archives and Brethren Historical Collection, Francis Barr CPS Collection, MC2011/233
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
    "Mirl Whitaker. Cold Exposure Experiment. Rochester, NY. Strong Memorial Hospital. Sitting Posture, 4 hrs @ a time."
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
    Mirl Whitaker with lab technician.
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    Harry Kadet
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
    August 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    "Meryl Whittaker [sic]. Protein Deficiency Diet Experiment. Strong Memorial Hospital. Rochester, NY. Drinking diet element."
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    "Two of the unit men in the stand, the two on the left. On left--Mirl Whitaker. On right--Bob Jong."
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    "Protein Deficiency Lab team. Mrs. 'Mac'--in charge of lab. Mertice Van Thof (Dr. Murlin's sec'y). At the picnic--Sept. (August) 1945."
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    "Breaking the diet--August 1945. Around the table from left to right--Ray Stanley, George Spicer, Thad Scymansky[?], Dr. Murlin, Dr. Fried, Irvin Eller, Bob Dick, Mirl Whitaker, Bill Sowden[?], Roland Ortmayer, *Benglen (just the arm), *Baldwin--back to camera at right corner. (*not in this photo!)"
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
    August 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    Oral Fisher
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    Amos Culp
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
    September 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    "Mirl Whitaker--Amino Acid"
    Photo provided by Leo Baldwin.
  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
    March 27, 1945
  • CPS Camp # 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
    1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115 subunits 17 & 18
  • CPS Camp No. 115 subunits 17 & 18
    February 28, 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 30
    ca. 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 3
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 10
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 17
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 33
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 14
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    August 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    August 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
    September 1945
  • CPS Camp No. 115, subunit 21
Summary:

CPS Unit No. 115, subunit 10, located at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, subjected COs to experiments on the effects of drinking sea water.

 

Dr. Allan M. Butler directed this OSRD project testing the toxicity of seawater to help determine emergency rations for life boats.  The Harvard Medical School Department of Pediatrics sponsored the project from September 1943 to December 1945, for which six or seven men volunteered.  The American Friends Service Committee provided agency oversight.

 

Since the concern for persons in life boats was evaporation of body liquids, studies examined the effects of drinking sea water, along with other possibilities for replacing fluids.  Five CPS volunteers spent two weeks in a life raft in Cotuit Bay near Boston.  A discovery was that men could overcome evaporation “by soaking their clothes and hanging over the side of the raft for five minutes every half hour”.   (Keim p. 79)

Location:
Boston, Massachusetts, United States