206 BIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS 



variably good. Often there may be a history of some 

 accident or accidents probably due to the enthusiasm 

 and recklessness with which he has pursued his sport. 

 For example, enquiry has shown that a history of 

 concussion in itself is not, as was once believed, a bar 

 to acceptance for flying. As many as 40 per cent 

 of successful pilots examined gave a history of con- 

 cussion or unconsciousness. Such concussion is fre- 

 quently associated with a degree of reckless enthusiasm 

 so advantageous in the flying officer. There can be no 

 doubt that the youth who, greatly exceeding the speed 

 limit on his motor cycle, dashes into some obstruction 

 and " flies' over it, is the possessor of the correct 

 temperament to make a successful flying officer. 

 Therefore, a history of concussion in itself is no bar 

 to admission for flying, provided that at the time of 

 examination there are no signs of nervous instability. 

 Rather it is in his favour, since it shows that he is 

 possessed of a nervous system capable of recovering 

 from a certain amount of shock. 



Considerable divergence of opinion exists as to 

 whether the emotional or unemotional subject is likely 

 to make the better flier. The French authorities pay 

 considerable attention to so-called ''emotional reac- 

 tions", and by such means select their fighting aviators. 

 For example, by the firing of an unexpected pistol 

 shot the effect upon the respiratory and circulatory 

 mechanisms is determined. This form of examination 

 has not received so much attention in this country, 

 but the so-called " emotive' test recently described 

 by Dr. A. D. Waller, F.R.S., might be helpful in 

 arriving at an assessment of the flying temperament. 

 If, by means of electrodes applied to the dorsum and 

 palm of the hand, a subject be connected in series 

 with Leclanche cells and a galvanometer, an emotive 

 response is shown by the latter, not only to physical 



