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14, standing in 8, good sight, dusty atmosphere, nervous strain in 7 each, climbing in
5, dampness in 3, hearing in 3, cold and heat in 2, colour vision in 2. Amongst the
girls nervous strain was contra-indicated in 16, muscular strain in 15, dry hands in 13,
exposure in 11, standing in 8, good sight in 7, damp in 3, hearing, cold and heat, one
each.
Following are the considerations on which the signal for contra-indication was
based by Dr. Dobbie in certain of the categories named : Standing in the human
subject is an active posture ; persons with poor muscular tone soon grow weary,
a reversed S position is assumed, muscles, tendons and ligaments are stretched
where the strain falls and flat foot, round shoulders and prominent abdomen results.
Persons with circulation embarrassed whether by heart, lung or vessel defect do
not endure the strain of the constant erect position without excessive fatigue and
the formation of varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
Dusty occupations are especially prejudicial to mouth breathers, persons with
a tendency to chronic inflammatory conditions of the ear, nose and throat and
respiratory system generally, or to exudation conditions of the skin such as
eczema.
Exposure is contra-indicated in those of poor circulation; the vessel walls
do not respond to rapid changes of temperature and easily become fatigued, remaining
either dilated or contracted. In the former case chilling results; in the latter there
is congestion of the deep viscera and difficulty in quick response.
Employments requiring dry hands are contra-indicated in many children both
of the robust and delicate types. When the hands are large, blue, cold and beefy,
moist palms are the rule and close examination reveals minute visible beads of
perspiration. There was a rather large number of children in whom this contraindication
existed.
Dr. McV ail's
investigation
of backward
children.
Dr. Elizabeth McVail has minutely investigated the previous history and
physical condition of 69 children in backward classes, Laycock-street (Girls) School,
where there are two backward classes, was selected for this enquiry. One of the
classes contains girls between 9 and 12 years of age (Class II.), the other contains
girls of 12 to 14 (Class I.).
On leaving the first class at the age of 12, some children pass into an ordinary
standard, but others pass directly to the second class, thus remaining in backward
classes possibly from the age of 9 to the end of school life.
33 girls in class II. and 36 in class I. were investigated. The intelligence
quotients of all the girls were obtained on the Binet scale, and in each case the cause
of dulness and backwardness was investigated, so far as it was possible to do so.
A. Class I. consisting of girls of 12 or over. The average age of these 34 girls
was 13 years and 4 months; the intelligence quotients on the Binet scale (100 being
normal) ranged from 66 lowest to 108 highest; the average being 79. Nine girls
had an intelligence quotient of 90 and upwards. The reasons for backwardness in
these nine girls of relatively high natural intelligence are particularly interesting to
trace. They were in order of intelligence.
(1) L.C., age 12 1/1½ I.Q. 108. Average attendance 95 per cent. over 5 years.—
This child with an intelligence quotient well above the normal, has no physical
defect, and has always attended school with a high degree of regularity. She shows
much ingenuity in ordinary affairs of life, but is inattentive in school, and is described
by the teacher as "scatterbrained." This is the type of child which is the despair
of the teacher; of high native ability, the child is temperamentally unsuited to
ordinary education, takes no interest in lessons, and lacks application; she will
fit into no educational scheme.
(2) L.D., age 121/1 ½. I.Q. 98. Average attendance 92 over 5 years. This child
attends regularly, has no physical defect, and has had no serious illnesses. She is
of good native intelligence, yet is backward and makes no progress in school work.
13651 l