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A clinical division of the children was made in three categories as regards general
health and appearance, 80 were assessed as robust, 114 as average and 43 as
"delicate." Analysing the 80 robust leavers according to height and weight, it was
found that 53 were above the average weight for height, 21 about the average weight
for height, and 6 were below the average weight for height. A similar analysis of the
43 clinically" delicate "children showed that one was above the average weight for
height, 14 were about the average, and 28 were below.
H.G
Using Vierordt's formula (W = —240
where W is weight in kilograms, H is height
in centimetres and G is chest girth in centimetres) the clinical assessment could
be compared with the results deduced from measurements.
Clinical assessment.
Average weight.
Kilograms.
Average height.
Centimetres.
Average girth.
Centimetres.
Weight by formula
Kilograms.
Boys—
Nutrition I. 46.7 152 73.66 46.6
Nutrition III. 34.5 145 67.3 40.6
Girls—
Nutrition I. 45.5 155 7.11 45.9
Nutrition III. 35 147.5 67.9 41.3
The general approximation of clinical assessment with the deductions from
physical measurement are interesting. Both boys and girls classed as robust corresponded
in weight with that deducible from Vierordt's formula, while the
"delicate" children clinically fell short by about six kilogrammes of their
theoreitcal weight.
Next, or equal in importance, to the assessment of physique is the assessment of
mental state. A highly strung unstable person may be capable of sudden bursts
of dynamic energy which will, however, not be maintained for any length of time,
those lacking in intelligence cannot adapt themselves effectively to their environment
while the mentally bright make their own environment. A classification
of the three nutritional groups into three groups mentally "bright," "fairly
bright" and "dull" shows a preponderance of dull children amongst the
ill nourished.
Bright. Fairly bright. Dull.
Nutrition 1 11 20 10
Nutrition 2 32 58 49
Nutrition 3 9 22 26
Fatigue leads to defective concentration and diminished control and, amongst
many other signs, tremor of the small muscles is an important one. Dr. Henry Head
states that " tremor of the hands is of great importance . . . and points to some
defect in static control." Of 16 boys and 25 girls classed as robust (Nutrition I.),
1 boy and 5 girls were noted with tremor of the outstretched hands, while of 36 boys
and 25 girls classed as delicate (Nutrition III.), no less than 25 boys and 13 girls
were noted with tremor.
Much may be learnt regarding the physical efficiency of a pupil by an assessment
of the condition of the skin. Dr. Mumford, at the Manchester Grammar School,
has recently classified a series of boys into four mental groups corresponding with
skin conditions defined as follows:—
(1) Pernio—Blue cold moist hands, goose skin, chilblains—mentally slow,
diminished capacity for rapid effort.
(2) Fine skinned.—Active metabolism, face, hands, and ears bright- red,
skin warm and moist, little or no hair, spare build, quick heart, physically and
mentally active
(3) Oily skinned.—Skin thick, pigmental, coarse, hairy, short, obese, early
sexual development, muscular but not agile.
(4) Dry skinned.—Under-active thyroid, backward mentally and physically.