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104
This investigation was made with a view of ascertaining
whether poverty, or neglect were the probable causes of the
deficient height and weight of the children. If poverty and neglect
can be gauged by insufficiency of clothing (as I think they may
well be), it will be noticed that the relation between sufficiency of
clothing and height and weight is clearly brought out. Thus in
the case of the Princess Road Boys 61 per cent. of the children
classified as insufficiently clothed were below the average height
for their age and 60 per cent. were below the average weight. On
the other hand, 73 per cent. of those who were said to have more
than the average of clothing were above the average height for
their age, while 65 per cent were also above the average weight.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. —The most obvious fact ascertained
during the enquiry is the inferiority of the Princess Road
children. This fact, of course, was previously familiar to anyone
who had had an opportunity of visiting both schools. It was,
however, well worth putting the matter to the test of the
measuring rod and the balance, as it is only by the tabulation of
actual facts that knowledge can be advanced and trustworthy
conclusions drawn. With regard to the cause of the physical
inferiority of Princess Road children, I think we have a valuable
indication in the fact just noted as to the correlation of inferior
height and weight with insufficient clothing. It may, I think,
be taken for granted that children who are insufficiently clothed
come from poor homes, but the cause of poverty could only be
ascertained by careful investigation of each case. This, however,
is beyond the limits of our present enquiry.
I believe it would also be found that much of the deficiency in
height and weight of the Princess Road children is due to imperfect
cooking and to the selection of articles of diet that for their cost
are comparatively deficient in nutritive value. Were the principle
of co-operative meals adopted in the schools, it would have the
great advantage of teaching the next generation how cheap and
nutritious food may be selected and palatable meals prepared
therefrom.
In the meantime the most useful results of this investigation
have been
(1) To demonstrate the practicability of measuring the
children.
(2) Demonstration of the fact that simple measurements are
trustworthy indications of the physical condition of the
children.