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THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



later by the remaining two in turn ; the overseer slept most of 

 the time, making no attempt to keep them at their work. 



(e) Capacity for Work. The following table, modified from 

 the report on factory labour in India, brings out clearly the 

 relative productive capacity of the English and Indian worker : 



Indian labour is lacking in continuous application, punctuality, 

 energy, and regularity. Men have to be employed in India for 

 work that women will do in England. The Indian workers have 

 little skill or education, and consequently make much waste-; 

 their sense of discipline is imperfect ; their attendance irregular ; 

 and they take long intervals for rest, smoking, etc. (Commercial 

 Supplement of the Times). 



The coal-mines of Europe and Bengal are perhaps the best 

 comparative test of the capabilities of the two classes of workers. 

 The conditions are all in favour of the Bengali ; he cuts coal from 

 thick seams, the mines are at no great depth, and a large pro- 

 portion are worked with inclines, no shafts being necessary. 

 The following figures give some idea of the output per man 

 yearly : 



America 

 England 

 Germany 



Bengal 



589 tons (mining simple), 

 (lignite quarries). 



243 



600 



80 



The physical conditions are altogether in favour of the Bengali, 

 and the result is an out-turn barely 27 per cent, of that of the 

 European. 



We might multiply instances of the inferior capabilities of 

 the native workmen, but it is so well recognized by all who 

 have had dealings with them that further evidence is un- 

 necessary . 



It may be accepted that the rice-eating Bengali on a diet 



