PUBERTY. 



1025 



from that of the corresponding teeth in the other. With this understanding, 

 the following table will probably be very near the truth : 



Central Incisors developed at 



Lateral Incisors, . 



First Bicuspid, 



Second Bicuspid, . 



Canines, .... 



Second Molars, 



8 years. 



9 " 



10 " 



11 " 



12 to!2.V 



The following are the results of the application of this test, in a large num- 

 ber of cases examined by Mr. Saunders. Of 708 children of nine years old, 

 530 would have been pronounced by it to be near the completion of their 

 ninth year ; having the central, and either three or four lateral, incisors fully 

 developed. Out of the remaining 178, it would have indicated that 126 

 were 8^ years old, as they presented one or two of the lateral Incisors ; and 

 the 52 others would have been pronounced 8 years old, all having three or 

 four of the central Incisors. So that the extreme deviation is only 12 

 months; and this in the inconsiderable proportion (when compared with the 

 results obtained by other means) of 52 in 708, or 7s per cent. Again, out 

 of 338 children of 13 years of age, 294 might have been pronounced with 

 confidence to be of that age ; having the Canines, Bicuspid, and second 

 Molars, either entirely developed, or with only the deficiency of one or two 

 of either class. Of the 44 others, 36 would have been considered as in their 

 thirteenth year, having one of the posterior molars developed ; and 8 as 

 near the completion of the twelfth, having two of the Canines, and one or 

 two of the second Bicuspid. In all these instances the error is on the favor- 

 able side, that is, on the side on which it is calculated to prevent injury to 

 the objects of the inquiry ; in no instance did this test cause a Child to be 

 estimated as older or more fit for labor than it really was. 1 



872. The period of Youth is distinguished by that advance in the evolu- 

 tion of the Generative apparatus in both sexes, and by that acquirement of 

 its power of functional activity, which constitutes the state of Puberty. Of 

 the principal changes in which this consists, in the two sexes respectively, an 

 account has already been given (734,740) ; and it is merely requisite here 

 to add, that this augmented development can only be rightly regarded as 

 preparatory to the exercise of these organs, and not as showing that the 

 aptitude for their exercise has already been fully attained. It is only when 

 the growth and development of the individual are completed, that the pro- 

 creative power can be properly exerted for the continuance of the race; and 

 all experience shows that by prematurely and unrestrainedly yielding to the 

 sexual instincts, not merely the generative power is early exhausted, but the 

 vital powers of the organism generally are reduced and permanently enfee- 



1 The value of this test, as compared with that of Height, is manifested by a 

 striking example adduced by Mr. Saunders. The height of one lad, J. J-, a^ed 8 

 years and 4 months, was 4 feet and f of an inch ; that of another boy, aged 8 years 

 and 7 months, was only 3 feet 7 inches. According to the standard of height 

 adopted by the Factory Commissioners (namely, 3 feet 10 inches), the taller lad 

 would have been judged fit for labor, whilst the shorter would have been rejected. 

 The Dentition of the latter, however, was further advanced than that of the former ; 

 for he had two of the lateral Incisors, whilst the former had only the central ; and 

 the determination of their relative physical powers, which would have been thus 

 formed, would have been in complete accordance with the truth. The elder boy, 

 though shorter than the other by 5 inches, possessed a much greater degree both of 

 corporeal and mental energv, and his pulse was strong and regular ; whilst that of 

 the younger lad, who was evidently growing too fast, was small and frequent. An 

 instance even more striking has come under the Author's own observation. 



