39 



Officer, who remained nearly two years, i.e., through the 

 first series of observations. In my occasional absence 

 he or his successor acted exactly as I should have done if 

 present. 



The Physical (and Medical) Examination was conducted, 

 not in the Fisgard, but in a room specially fitted and appro- 

 priated, in Woolwich Dockyard, which was then in full 

 operation. 



The measurements of stature, weight, and chest girth 

 followed in this order, and the method requires explanation. 

 1st. — Stature without shoes, to inches and quarters was 

 easily determined under a standard affixed to a wall. 2nd. — 

 Weight, clothes included (without shoes), while standing on a 

 Pooley's Patent weighing machine, (similar to those used 

 for weighing luggage at railwa}^ stations) was read off to the 

 nearest pound under or over one-half, omitting fractions. 

 After deducting the weight of clothes, that of the body only 

 was registered. From various trials, before I joined, the 

 Boatswains found that such clothes varied from under three 

 to about seven pounds, with an average of five pounds. 

 From long practice they were able to fix the weight, in each 

 case, either by ocular inspection or by holding in their hands ; 

 but when at all doubtful they immediately resorted to the 

 machine. 



The accuracy of these " Old Salts" in this matter was 

 very curiously confirmed by the celebrated M. Quetelet, of 

 whose observations they had never heard. In his Treatise 

 " On Man, &c.," to which I shall have to recur, he remarks : 

 *' From different experiments I think we may admit, as near 

 the truth, that the average weight of the clothes is one- 

 eighteenth of the total weight of the male body, and one- 

 twenty-fourth part of the total weight of the female." By 

 his plan, the average for these junior and senior boys would 

 be 5*2, and 5-8 pounds respectively ; but in their case the 

 fractions may, I think, be safely omitted, and five pounds 

 be considered a fair average, which I have accordingly 

 adopted. 



