MILTON AWARD PERMITS CHAFFEE TO EXPERIMENT

The following article is the first of a series to be published in the Crimson concerning the research work to be done by the 21 professors who have received awards from the Milton Fund. This fund, which yields an annual income of approximately $50,000, was given to the University by William F. Milton '58.

While psychologists have been attempting to explain the eye in all its workings, Professor E. L. Chaffee A.M. '08 has been engaged in experiments on a single portion, the retina. The belief that the physical approach to an understanding of the eye will produce more rapid results than psychological experiments has actuated Professor Chaffee. Now after several years' aid from the Cancer Commission, he is enabled by the Milton awards to continue his experiments for another year.

Many Inconclusive Theories

At the present time there are 26 theories of color vision held by scientists and physicians. Experiments which attempt a psychological explanation of the ocular mechanism have been very drawn out, and as yet not altogether conclusive. Progress in experimentation upon the retina of the eye with a sensitive vacuum tube amplifier connected to a recording galvanometer has been unusually rapid.

While the problem has been treated before, the use of the amplifier for the purpose is an innovation which has made it possible to obtain new results. The greatest of these have been secured with the retina of frogs. There are still some outstanding questions of importance which can be settled only by experimenting with eyes of other animals. This is the line of attack planned for the immediate future.

Research Involves Much Detail

Because of the very large numbers of experiments necessary in an investigation of this type dealing with eyes which vary so among themselves, before justifiable conclusions can be made, and because of the routine work necessary for the experiments, the service of an assistant is almost an absolute necessity.

The Milton award will provide for this assistance. During the year 1925-26 the assistant will not be required, however, because Professor Meservey of Dartmouth is planning to spend his sabbatical year with Professor Chaffee on this problem.

Eyes and Nerves Associated

Among his findings Professor Chaffee has noted that frequently oscillations of remarkable regularly are observed in the response of the eye. These oscillations are undoubtedly associated with the separate responses of the nerves. The shape of the oscillations depend on the intensity of light and also upon the color of light. It is believed that further study of these oscillations may lead to a better understanding of color vision.

No estimate can be given of the duration of the experiment. There is a vast field open for an experiment of this type, but the present experiment will be terminated only when results fail to justify the means.