WEIGHT INCREASE AND INCREASE IN STATURE. 8 1 



When stature is considered we find that the curve by 

 which its increase is measured is in general similar to 

 the curve for increase in weight, and that relations 

 similar to those found for weight subsist between the 

 curves for the two sexes. The most important difference 

 between these two sets of measurements is that the 

 periods of most rapid increase in stature precede those 

 for weight. The increase in stature is due primarily 

 to a lengthening of the skeleton in the line of its long 

 axis ; while the enlargement of the mass of muscles is 

 especially connected with the increase in other diameters. 

 At first glance it might appear that this growth in the 

 long axis of the body occurs in the line in which gravity 

 acts most strongly during the hours of activity, yet it is 

 probable that the principal increase in stature occurs at 

 night, during repose, when the long axis is horizontal. 

 Moreover, the general impression to be gathered from 

 the observations of other animals, and even of plants, 

 is that where there exists a distinctly indicated long 

 axis, this axis is the line of first growth, the growth 

 at right angles to it coming later, and that gravity is 

 not a factor of importance in this connection. The 

 determination of the increase in stature before birth 

 is complicated by the fact that it first involves the 

 trunk alone, the limbs becoming important factors only 

 later, hence there is no consensus as to the time when 

 they should be included in the measurement. After 

 birth the rate of increase in stature is comparatively 

 slow. Its final cessation is indeterminate, although it 

 certainly becomes very small after the twenty-fifth year. 

 Fig. 15 formed in the same manner as Fig. 13 which 

 shows rate of increase in weight, indicates that since it 

 is a linear measurement the rate is always slower for 

 stature, and that there is less difference between the, 

 first and later years of life. 



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