THE FIRST T-TEST

The data with which Student illustrated the application of his famous distribution are examined from a number of aspects. Central to the dis cussion is the within-patient clinical trial at Kalamazoo whose result s were published by Cushny and Peebles and misquoted by Student and Fi sher. This trial is discussed from historical, pharmacological and sta tistical perspectives. Student's and Fisher's analyses and a more mode rn analysis by Preece are considered as is Cushny's and Peebles's inte rpretation. Brief biographies of the five physicians involved in runni ng the trial are presented.