PROCEEDINGS OF SECTIOX I. 607 



IV.— THE OBJECTS OF ANTHROPOMETRY. 



The objects of Anthropometry are primarily to measure the 

 structural features and the activities of the human body, and 

 secondly from the changes in structure and in activities disclosed in 

 successive measurements to estimate the influence of various 

 differences of environment. 



Anthropometry in schools has for its direct object the periodic 

 measurement during a child's life of certain dimensions of the body 

 and certain features of its environment. By this means the evolution 

 of the individual child may be studied. Any marked departure from 

 the average might indicate that special inquiry as to possible causes is 

 desirable. In the same way any marked change in the averages for a 

 group of individuals might direct attention to the special conditions, 

 social or otherwise, of the group. 



To conduct inquiries of this character effectively the norms or 

 averages have to be ascertained for the community and also the usual 

 variations or deviations therefrom. In the school population these 

 will show any material change taking place with the lapse of time. 



In Australia such a survey is of special importance, owing to the 

 fact that a race predominantly British is being subjected to a new 

 en\dronment. Any average change in weight or stature or other 

 measurement in the commmiity which is any way systematic or 

 progressive in character will soon become evident and suggest the 

 desirability of inquiry into the causes. The results might show the 

 need for studying the effects of climatic conditions operating in any 

 given area upon the evolution of the white race ; for instance, the 

 effects, if any, of the tropical climate of Northern Australia upon the 

 viability of the white man, and particularly white women and children. 

 Here anthropometry can furnish an important quantitative test of 

 any suspected relation. It is obvious that records must be accumulated 

 for the more temperate parts of the continent in order to furnish the 

 necessary data for comparison. 



To the educationist the special value of such a survey is that it will 

 show at what time in the life of an indi\'idual child the period of 

 accelerated growth appears, e.g., the change taking place with the 

 appearance of puberty — a time of physiological high pressure.* Proper 



* J. Arthur Thompson, in his Biology of the Seasons says that "growing is an uphill 

 business, and that we do well to reniemb'jr the acceleration asBociated with human adolescence 

 tor it means that the energies of the organism are neceft^arily to some extent preoccupied with 

 its own business. It is an intricate and difficult problem ; there is an increasing stability and 

 an increasing; instability, there is great vigour and great ' Slackness,' but the general statement 

 seems to us to be safe, that a rapidly growing adolescent is naturally a good deal preoccupied — 

 we mean, oi course, organically, not consciously, preoccupied with his or her internal affaire. 

 This means that he or she should have plenty of rest and plenty of play." 



