ANTHROPOMETRY 41 



This gives a very convenient "record-book," which is easily handled 

 during the examination, whether this is carried on in field or laboratory, 

 which is very convenient during the work on the data, and which can 

 not be readily lost or mislaid. Illustrations of blanks will be given 

 later. 



Subjects of only one group, one sex and one stage of life are recorded 

 on one blank, to save copying. The measurements are recorded in 

 centimeters and their decimals, as they are marked on the instruments. 

 To make the record in millimeters or meters, according to the essen- 

 tially German method, has the disadvantages of a greater liability to 

 error, and of a much greater difficulty of grasping and remembering the 

 values of the measurements. The examiner records the figures himself 

 to further guard against error; and until his mind is so trained that it 

 can safely retain two successive determinations, he records each 

 measurement by itself. A constant care is exercised to make each 

 figure so that it will not be possible to mistake it for anything else; 

 this applies particularly to and 6, 4 and 9, 1 and 7, which if written 

 hastily may readily resemble and be mistaken for each other. The 

 recording is done invariably in pen and with permanent ink that will 

 not fade out in the course of years, for some of the records secured may 

 be of value long afterwards. 



Although there would be no objection to a contrary practice, it is 

 customary and doubtless more convenient as well as time saving, to 

 proceed in the examination and hence on the blanks first with the 

 measurements and then with the visual observations. 



In choosing a place for examination, it is imperative to select the 

 best lighted spot, and at the same time one where the observer will be 

 least subject to interruptions. Side-light is undesirable; and measur- 

 ing or examining in poor light or in artificial light, except perhaps 

 strong electric arc light, is to be avoided unless dictated by absolute 

 necessity. No conversation with the subject or a third person should 

 be carried on during the examination, in order that the whole attention 

 of the observer may be concentrated on the work itself. Finally, 

 while it is not necessary to put down on the blank each measurement 

 separately, not more than two consecutive measurements should 

 be carried in mind before recording them. In the examination of 

 women it is important to retain the attitude of the methodic, abstract 

 investigator. 



If the above rules are followed, the well-trained, earnest observer 

 will find his work reduced to a mechanical procedure of high order, 



