ANTHROPOMETRY 77 



Instrument: The large sliding compass (Topinard, or HrdliCka). 



Method: Transverse diameter: Subject stands in natural, easy, 

 erect position. The forearms are flexed at about right angles, and the 

 arms are lifted forward and upward to about 30 degrees from the body. 

 They are directed to be held limp without any tension, and the ex- 

 aminer satisfies himself that there is no tension by lightly taking hold 

 of the forearms and moving the arms slightly up and down. The 

 object of the position is on one hand to relax all the thoracic muscles, 

 and on the other to permit the application of the instrument. The 

 same position in every respect is preserved for the antero-posterior 

 diameter. 



The large compass is now applied to the chest in such a way that 

 its rod lies directly over the nipples (or corresponding line in women), 

 the fixed branch is pressed against the thorax until it meets with 

 the resistance of the ribs, and the movable branch is applied repeatedly 

 to the opposite side of the thorax, with equal pressiu-e, during inspira- 

 tion and expiration, until the medium between the two can be arrived 

 at. It is the medium which is recorded. The instrument is held so 

 that its plane is at right angles to the vertical plane or axis of the 

 thorax. 



The antero-posterior diameter is taken so that the fixed branch 

 of the compass is applied to the nipple line, the rod of the instrument 

 to the ribs on the left side, and the movable .branch to the posterior 

 part of the thorax, the instrument being held again at right angles to 

 the vertical axis of the chest. Here also we take repeated measure- 

 ments until the medium between normal inspiration and expiration 

 is ascertained, and this is recorded. 



Measurements of the Limbs. — It is advisable to measure the left 

 hand, left foot, and left leg, partly because of greater convenience, 

 partly because in a large majority of persons the left limbs are less 

 affected by work, and possibly also, at least in the case of the hand, by 

 injuries. 



Left Hand. Length. — The International Agreements have nothing 

 on the measurements of the hand or foot; but measurements of both 

 are indicated in Topinard's Elements etc., 1134-35, as well as in 

 Martin. Those practiced by the author may be defined as follows : 



The length of the hand in the living extends from the middle of 

 the line connecting the proximal limits of the thenar and hypothenar 

 eminences, to the end of the medius, with the hand in full extension. 



Instrument: Sliding compass. 



