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The preponderance of pernio and dry-skinned children amongst those classed
as Nutrition III. is noteworthy.

A similar estimation based upon the condition of the heart showed that there
were two cases of functional heart murmurs amongst the robust, while 17 cases
occurred in the delicate group, in addition to two cases of organic disease.
Muscular tone was assessed on the appearance of muscular development, the
poise and activity of the body, firmness of muscles to touch and the degree of protuberance
of abdomen. A three point scale for muscular tone showed very remarkably
the correspondence of the assessment of muscular tone with that of nutritional
state.
Nutrition I. Nutrition III.
Muscle tone 12 3 12 3
Boys 10 6 Nil Nil 4 32
Girls 7 18 Nil Nil 5 15
While enlarged tonsils and adenoids were equally incident upon children classed
as Nutrition I. and Nutrition III. respectively, there was a great difference in the
case of enlarged cervical glands. Not a single child in the robust class was marked
with enlarged glands as opposed to 26 in the delicate group. Dr. Dobbie sums up
the characteristics of the two groups as follows:—"Children of good nutrition, whatever
the level of their native intelligence, are sprightly and bright, and they are of
stable temperament; the well functioning of the body enables the mind to function
to full advantage. The weight is relatively high to the height, the body is well
poised, alert and active, the muscular and vascular tone is good and the skin is clear,
fine and smooth with a good layer of subcutaneous fat.
In those of poor nutrition there is a definite syndrome, irrespective of intelligence,
they are often highly strung and nervous and are easily fatigued, their muscles are
flabby and ill developed, they are often round shouldered or pot bellied. The skin is
unhealthy, either dry and thin or mottled and accompanied by cold and moist hands,
there is pooling of the blood in the abdominal veins, cardiac abnormalities are
relatively common and enlargement of the cervical glands is often found.
An important part of Dr. Dobbie's share in the investigations consisted in the
signalling, as a result of the physical examination of the child, contra-indications
to certain features characterising groups of occupations.
The medical form filled in by him in the case of each individual child contains
the following section:—
Occupational contra-indications negativing occupations that involve—
Standing. Dusty atmosphere. Dry hands. Nervous strain.
Sitting. Good hearing. Cold. Muscular strain.
Good sight. D mp. Heat. Indoor work.
Climbing. Exposure.
49 boys out of 128 examined showed 103 contra-indications, a little over 2 per
boy, and 40 girls out of 109 examined showed 80 contra-indications. Amongst the
boys muscular strain was contra-indicated in 19 cases, dry hands in 16, exposure in