View report page

349
The figures again show that the period of most rapid growth
in stature is earlier in boys than in girls, the latter grow most
rapidly and put on most weight during the last years of school
life; boys, on the contrary, appear to grow most rapidly between
8 and 12 years of age.
During the period of growth from 5 years to 8 years the bovs
gained on the average 9.5 lbs. in weight and 4.2 inches in height.
The girls gained 10.2 lbs. in weight and 5.2 inches in height.
From 8 years to 12 years the corresponding gains are 23.9 lbs.
gain in weight for bovs and 27.5 lbs. for girls; 7.2 inches gain in
heights for boys and 8.7 inches for girls.
During the period of growth from 5 years until the end of the
13th year the boys increased by 12.3 inches in height and 35.3 lbs.
in weight; the girls increased 15.0 inches in height and 42.3 lbs.
in weight.
These findings are very similar to last year's figures, except
that the total weight increase in both sexes is less, to the extent
of 3.7 lb. in boys and 0.6 lbs. in girls.
Heart and Circulatory System.
The following table summarises the findings. As might
be expected the figure rises steadily during school life, and this
emphasises the importance of strict ascertainment, supervision
and facilities for the necessary treatment of rheumatism. The
etiology of acute rheumatism is not yet known, but there is no
doubt about the lasting damage it does to cardiac tissue, more
especially if it is not discovered early and adequately treated.
The Rheumatism Clinic is doing valuable work in this direction.